Driving distractions come in all shapes and sizes. From looking at a construction project alongside the highway to handing snacks to the children in the back seat, countless activities can pull a driver’s attention from the safe operation of a motor vehicle. Unfortunately, drivers almost always feel they have the skill necessary to overcome any distraction making it possible to drive safely while multitasking while behind the wheel. The data, however, disagrees.
Lytx, a global leader in video-based driver safety technology, released data that highlighted the dangers posed by certain activities.
- Dining and driving: In examining the data, Lytx found that drivers who were distracted by food or drink while behind the wheel were 3.6 times more likely to be involved in a collision than those who were not dining and driving.
- Hands-free devices: While hands-free devices were developed for convenience and safety, they can still serve as a dangerous distraction to drivers. In fact, according to the Lytx data, drivers who were using a hands-free device were 4.6 times more likely to be in involved in a motor vehicle collision than those who were not using a hands-free device while behind the wheel.
- Electronic device distractions: Even if a driver ignores participating in a text-based conversation, the use of a smartphone or tablet can lead to a distracted driving collision. Drivers using these devices were 4.7 times more likely to be involved in a collision than drivers not engaged in this activity.
Drivers must avoid any type of distraction while behind the wheel. From personal grooming to manipulating a menu in the vehicle’s audio system, any activity that is a cognitive, manual or visual distraction can lead to serious collisions. Additionally, drivers need to be aware of the cars and trucks they are sharing the road with so they can identify unsafe behaviors and steer clear of potential wrecks.