About eight people die because of distracted driving every day in the US. While anyone can be guilty of distracted driving, people in their 20s are about 25% of the statistic. Distracted teen drivers are even more likely to cause motor vehicle accidents in Georgetown, Texas.
Distracted driving data
The CDC has a large body of evidence on distracted driving causing motor vehicle accidents. The top three ways distracted driving happens include looking away from the road, taking their hands off the wheel or thinking about something other than driving. A 2018 systematic review saw a driver’s performance suffer during a conversation on the phone and with a passenger. Most of the 4,300 participants compensated for the phone conversation by leaving more space between other cars and slowing down.
The study found dialing the phone while driving was more dangerous than talking. A study from China found that young drivers use hands-free and voice-activated driving apps often while driving. People using these apps tend to drift within their lane, have slower response times and experience a collision.
General distracted driving
Distracting driving doesn’t only cause motor vehicle accidents. Young drivers who use mobile phones make riskier choices while walking or biking. Pedestrians who talk on the phone wait longer to cross and walk across the street slower. Many adults or children who use their phones while biking tend to slow down or stop. People who talk on the phone while riding pay less attention to their surroundings.
A 2019 study saw mindfulness training as a possible way to reduce phone usage when traveling. Researchers found people overlooking hazards and making mistakes when their mind wasn’t on driving. Mindfulness exercises before or while driving may help drivers stay focused on the road. Distracted driving is more than a physical distraction. New or young drivers should always pay attention to their surroundings.
