Driving a vehicle is not something that should be taken lightly. You are navigating a 2-ton machine – sometimes at remarkable speeds – in close proximity to other people doing the same thing. Add these factors up, and it’s no wonder that over five million accidents happen each year (in just the U.S. alone).
Sadly, out of over 5 million accidents, an average of 30,000 people die each year. And out of those, one in 10 involves at least one driver being distracted. It’s heartbreaking, but it’s also reality. At Ticket Snipers, we want to prepare you ahead of time. Here are the 10 most common distractions while driving:
10. Smoking:
Whether reaching for a pack of cigarettes or looking down at the lighter, approximately 1% of accidents caused by “a distracted driver” can be attributed to smoking related activities.
9. Moving objects inside the vehicle:
This could be an insect or a pet that has gotten loose or climbed into the front seat. Unpredictable objects or creatures inside the car account for another 1% of these collisions.
8. Using a device integral to the car:
About 1% of distracted accidents are caused by people adjusting the rear view mirror or seat, or possibly entering something into a GPS device – these are all activities that are often necessary to the driving process, but they can still catch us off guard.
7. Adjusting audio or climate controls:
As we all know, we can easily be distracted by non-essential activities like playing with the radio or changing the temperature controls. These account for 2% of crashes caused by distraction, so it’s always best to make changes quickly and get our eyes back on the road.
6. Eating or drinking:
Many of us are on the go, so we get in a bite whenever we can – like in between our destinations. But eating and drinking causes another 2% of these accidents, so let’s remember that safety takes precedence over the next bite.
5. Reaching down for a device:
It can be a risky move to drop our eyes from the road and reach down to grab something off the floor, whether that’s a GPS device or a pair of headphones. It’s best to minimize these activities as they account for another 2%.
4. Talking to other occupants:
Maybe it’s a deep conversation, an argument, or a hilarious joke, but conversing with other occupants has led to 5% of these distraction-caused accidents. Enjoy the conversation, but remember that your first goal is to arrive safely.
3. Distracted by an outside person, object, or event:
Many of us have been guilty of “rubber necking” (turning our heads to watch the scene of a recent accident as we drive by), but this kind of distraction, along with seeing something or someone out of the ordinary, has caused approximately 7% of distracted accidents. As much as you can, keep your eyes on the road (and the cars) in front of you.
2. Cell phone usage:
Causing another 12% of these accidents, it’s no wonder that cell phone usage has been banned or restricted across the country. 14 states have banned hand held devices while driving, and 46 states have banned texting while driving. Frankly, your life and the lives of others on the road are far more important than the text you just received. Keep your eyes up and your attention off the screen. It’ll be there when you arrive at your destination. This New York Times article sheds light on just how much cell phones are affecting the amount of accidents on the road. Did you know that there are apps, such as this one from The Apple Store to prevent distractions while driving?
1. Being generally distracted or “lost in thought”:
Making up the remaining 62% is this subtle activity that catches us all off guard. As humans, we’ve got these amazing computers in our heads (called brains). Unfortunately, the best time to contemplate life’s biggest questions is not on Highway 95 at 70 miles per hour. Remember to constantly “check in” and make sure you aren’t getting lost in the cosmos while navigating your vehicle.
Keeping these common distractions in mind will help you avoid the biggest pitfalls most people fall into. Stay alert, stay safe, and you should be able to stay away from accidents and tickets of all kind.