Every day in the US approximately 8 people are killed in crashes that involve a distracted driver, that's over 2,900 deaths a year! On top of that scary statistic, an estimated 280,000 people are injured in crashes involving a distracted driver.
Those aged 20 to 29 are more likely to be a distracted driver involved in a fatal crash, followed by those aged 30 to 39, & then those aged 40 to 49. Teens, aged 15 to 19, are actually the least likely to have an accident while driving distracted & the chance actually lessens even more when they are driving alone.
Distracted driving isn't just checking your phone, it includes:
1. Reaching for something in your vehicle, taking your hands off the steering wheel & taking your eyes of the road to grab something that may have fallen or to dig through a bag for something
2. Conversations or arguments being had with passengers, trying to settle down a child or pet or even deciding to make eye contact with the person next to you for just a moment
3. Events outside the vehicle, like turning your head to look at another car accident
4. Cognitive distraction, like daydreaming, being lost in thought, or even feeling tired. Cognitive distraction actually makes up 62% of distracted driving accidents!