Dial “D” For Driver Distraction

by Jeb Foster

According to a recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driver distraction is the culprit behind nearly 80 percent of all traffic accidents - a much higher percentage than previously thought. The government agency credits cell phones with causing the highest number of driver distractions.

Additionally, researchers from the University of Utah say chatting on a cell phone makes a person five times more likely to have an accident and impairs one’s driving ability as much as drinking alcoholic beverages. The study also revealed that hands-free devices do not reduce the risks associated with cell phone use.

Although many are loathe to give up their phones for even a minute, the benefit of hanging up is clear: safer roads for everyone. (And lower phone bills.)

Even though they top the NHTSA administration’s list of distractions, cell phones aren’t the only gadgets that distract drivers from the business of driving. The list of electronic gizmos, which grows each day, includes DVD players, satellite radios, hand-held organizers, iPods, and global positioning systems. According the NHTSA, "drivers engaging in visually and/or manually complex tasks" - writing a text message, for example - "have a three times higher near-crash/crash risk than drivers who are attentive."

There are also the constant, low-tech distractions: kids, pets, fast food, hot beverages, newspapers, road side accidents, signs and billboards. The NHTSA’s 100-Car Naturalistic Driving Study revealed that reaching for a moving object - such as a falling frappuccino - increased the of likelihood of a crash by nine times.

Limiting distractions is relatively easy and will immediately result in safer roads for all motorists (and pedestrians). Drivers can start by curbing their cars before they: make and take calls; change the music; wolf down a burrito; apply make up; write a text message; or replay a young one’s favorite Lion King scene.

For most drivers, avoiding accidents is its own reward. But for those who need economic incentives to be safe, consider that a person’s driving record is one of the most important factors in determining how much he pays for auto insurance.

Jeb Foster is a copywriter for InsureMe. Foster writes about health, auto, home, life and long term care insurance. He is a frequent contributor to the InsureMe Insurance Blog, a resource for consumers.  When not writing about insurance, Foster enjoys reading fiction, riding his bike and playing with Puck, his 12-year-old Jack Russell Terrier.

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