Safe Driver: Hank Smith

Distracted Driving

Driving is an integral part of daily life, but it comes with serious responsibilities. Distracted driving poses one of the most significant risks on the road, and it’s a completely preventable behavior that endangers lives. April is National Distracted Driving Awareness month, a time to highlight the dangers of inattentive driving and encourage safer habits behind the wheel.

What is Distracted Driving?

  • Visual: Taking your eyes off the road (e.g looking at a phone or GPS).
  • Manual: Taking your hands off the wheel (e.g., eating, drinking).
  • Cognitive: Taking your mind off driving (e.g., daydreaming, intense conversations).

The Impact of Distracted Driving

The consequences of distracted driving are severe and far-reaching. At its worst, it leads to tragic accidents resulting in injury or loss of life. Beyond personal harm, drivers may face legal repercussions, such as heavy fines, license suspensions, or even criminal charges. Insurance costs can also increase dramatically following an incident caused by distraction.

Distracted driving occurs when a driver’s attention is diverted from the road due to activities such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, adjusting the radio, or even daydreaming. Studies show that daydreaming is responsible for 63% of fatal distracted driving crashes, making it the leading cause. Cell phone use accounts for 12% of fatal crashes, with actions like texting, dialing, or talking significantly increasing the risk of accidents. Texting behind the wheel is particularly dangerous, as it draws attention away for an average of five seconds—long enough to cover the length of a football field at highway speeds. Would you drive down the road while being blindfolded? Looking at your phone to check a text or message is the same as driving the length of a football field while being blindfolded. Other distractions include looking outside the vehicle, interacting with passengers, eating, and adjusting car controls, all of which contribute to collisions.

The statistics surrounding distracted driving are disturbing. In 2022, distracted driving killed 3,308 people in the U.S., breaking previous seasonal patterns and becoming a year-round issue. Additionally, 42% of high school students admitted to texting or emailing while driving, highlighting the need for stronger awareness campaigns. Distracted driving spikes at night between 6:00 PM and 11:00 PM, further emphasizing the importance of always staying focused.

Statistics to Consider

  • The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year
  • Nearly 330,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving
  • 1 out of every 4 car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving
  • Texting while driving is 6 times more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk
  • Answering a text takes away your attention for about five seconds. Traveling at 55 mph, that’s enough time to travel the length of a football field
  • Texting while driving causes a 400% increase in time spent with eyes off the road

To combat this issue, all but six states have implemented laws banning texting while driving, and campaigns like “Put the Phone Away or Pay”, “Take the Pledge” and “Hang up and Drive” aim to enforce safer driving habits. However, real change starts with individual responsibility—drivers must commit to eliminating distractions and prioritizing safety. By spreading awareness and practicing mindful driving, we can reduce accidents and save lives. When you are driving you only have ONE job….DRIVE.

In conclusion, driving courteously in a company vehicle is not just about following the rules; it’s about embodying the values of the company and contributing to a safer and more pleasant driving environment for everyone. By prioritizing courteous driving, companies can protect their reputation, enhance road safety, and promote the well-being of their employees.

Let’s make April a month of action against distracted driving!

Thank you, and drive safely everyone.

Now, with all that said, let’s give some recognition to our safest driver of January!

February’s Safe Driver Award:
Hank Smith

Congratulations to Hank for being our Safe Driver of February!