Distracted driving costs lives. What are you doing when in the driver’s seat?

Did you know that nearly one in four automobile crashes involves mobile phone use? Or that talking on your mobile phone while driving makes you four times more likely to crash? These statistics are from the USA.

What are you doing to remove the distractions so that your attention stays on the road?

3/29/2013 – BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. — Fifty-seven percent of drivers recognize talking on cell phones threatens their personal safety, yet two out of three drivers admit to talking on their cell phones in the past month.With nearly one in four automobile crashes involving cell phone use, people need to recognize the behavior as dangerous and work to eliminate the hazard. “We think we’re invincible,” said Richard Knowles, 2nd Bomb Wing Ground Safety Manager. “We think we can do multiple things at any given time.” There are many distractions that can prevent a driver’s attention from being on the road. Besides cell phones, children, radio volume, CD’s, other drivers, animals and driver fatigue can all keep the driver’s attention from where it should be. According to “Focus Driven: Advocates for Cell-Free Driving” website, at any one time, nine percent of drivers are talking on their cell phone which makes them four times more likely to crash. In an attempt to make safer choices, some people use a hands-free device, but even this doesn’t solve the fundamental problem that causes so many vehicle mishaps every year. “It’s still distracted driving,” said Knowles. “You’re not focused on what you need to be focused on.” Distractions not only put drivers into dangerous situations but also illegal ones. Driving through red-light traffic signals or stop signs at intersections can quickly get one pulled over by police. “People always say ‘it’ll never happen to me,'” said Knowles, “But it only takes one incident to kill you. I would caution Airmen to think about the consequences. Just turn off your cell phone when you get in your vehicle.” Knowles is committed to educating Airmen about making safe choices that will keep the Barksdale warfighter strong. “It is in our best interest that our airmen are ready to work and not recovering from injury,” he said. “By eliminating driving distractions such as a cell phone, they’ll be available to complete their assigned tasks whether it’s working at Air Force Global Strike Command, 8th Air Force or the Mighty Deuce.” Information in this article is also provided by results from a 2009 AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety survey.

Source: http://www.barksdale.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123341752

Travis Holland
Managing Director
Holland Thomas & Associates