Distracted driving may be most closely associated with cell phone usage, but truthfully, there are multiple behaviors we are likely all guilty of that contribute to this driving hazard. The distracted driving statistics paint a picture of how devastating the results can be when we drive while preoccupied.
Distracted Driving Statistics
– 2,841 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2018, according to the CDC.
– Among the 2,841 deaths, the age group with the highest number of fatalities was age 20-29.
– The 2,841 includes the fatalities of 506 nonoccupants — meaning pedestrians, bicyclists, and others as a result of distracted drivers.
– After a steady increase in distracted driving fatalities from 2014 to 2017, the National Highway – – Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports indicate the number of fatalities finally decreased in 2018.
– Between 14% to 17% of all crashes are due to distracted driving according to data from the last 10 years.
– 48 states and the District of Columbia have hand-held cell phone bans in place to combat the occurrence of distracted driving. 37 states and the District of Columbia further restrict young drivers with the use of cell phones.
Distracted Driving Types
– Visual distraction: This is a distraction that causes you to move your eyes away from the road. For instance, if you turn to talk to a passenger or look behind you to talk to your children.
– Auditory distraction: An auditory distraction is when a sound causes your attention to divert away from driving. An example of this is listening to loud music or multiple conversations occurring among the passengers.
– Manual distraction: A manual distraction is where your hands are moved away from the wheel. An example of this is reaching for a cell phone, or for food and drinks.
– Cognitive distraction: This refers to when your mind wanders and you are no longer focused on driving.
Distracted Driving Behaviors and Their Effects
When discussing the number of distracted driving behaviors, what is most alarming is the sheer number of possibilities for distraction. Many of the distractions involve more than one type, such as cell phone usage, which is a manual, cognitive and visual distraction for drivers.
For example, texting takes your eyes off the road for about five seconds, the length of a football field when you are driving 55 mph. But it also increases the risk of a crash 23 times, according to a study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.
Another study found when drivers are not paying attention, they fail to comprehend or process information from objects in the roadway, even when looking at them. In other words, when you are distracted, your brain and visual processing are not working together.
ABOUT ONMYWAY
OnMyWay Is The #1 Distracted Driving Mobile App In The Nation!
OnMyWay, based in Charleston, SC, The Only Mobile App That Pays its Users Not to Text and Drive. The #1 cause of death among young adults ages 16-27 is Car Accidents, with the majority related to Distracted Driving.
OnMyWay’s mission is to reverse this epidemic through positive rewards. Users get paid for every mile they do not text and drive and can refer their friends to get compensated for them as well. The money earned can then be used for Cash Cards, Gift Cards, Travel Deals, and Much, Much More….
The company also makes it a point to let users know that OnMyWay does NOT sell users’ data and only tracks them for purposes of providing a better experience while using the app.
The OnMyWay app is free to download and is currently available on both the App Store for iPhones and Google Play for Android @ OnMyWay; Drive Safe, Get Paid. Sponsors and advertisers can contact the company directly through their website @ www.onmyway.com.