April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in the United States. There are countless things that can distract a driver, like passengers and food, but the biggest culprit is the cell phone. Taking your eyes off the road to read a quick text message is a big deal. At 55 mph, looking at your phone for five seconds is the same as driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.
The Consequences of Distracted Driving
The consequences of driving while distracted are no joking matter. In 2019, 3,142 people were killed and an estimated 400,000 people were injured in accidents involving distracted drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 2.9% of drivers are using cell phones while driving. This means that even if you aren’t using your cell phone, you need to be aware of drivers near you increasing your risk of being in an accident.
How to Reduce Distractions in Your Car
April is a great time to start changing your habits to make yourself a safer driver and help make our roads safer for everyone. Keeping your phone safely docked in a sturdy hands-free mount in your car can help reduce distractions. Make sure your car phone mount is sturdy, because a flimsy mount could just cause more distractions.
You can also help make the roads a safer place by leading by example. The more people that understand the dangers of distracted driving and take measures to reduce distractions can help save lives.
