Many distractions exist while driving, but cell phones are a top distraction because so many drivers use them for long periods of time each day. Almost everyone has seen a driver distracted by a cell phone, but when you are the one distracted, you often don’t realize that driver is you.
New technology in vehicles is causing us to become more distracted behind the wheel than ever before. Fifty-three percent of drivers believe if manufacturers put “infotainment” dashboards and hands-free technology in vehicles, they must be safe. And, with some state laws focusing on handheld bans, many drivers honestly believe they are making the safe choice by using a hands-free device. But in fact, these technologies distract our brains even long after you’ve used them.
Young drivers are particularly vulnerable to distracted driving, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). “Twenty-three percent of drivers in all fatal crashes are in their 20s, and this same age group accounts for 27 percent of the distracted drivers in fatal crashes and 38 percent of the distracted drivers who were using cell phones in fatal crashes,” reports the NHTSA. In addition, 431,000 people were injured in motor vehicle accidents involving distracted drivers in 2014, says the NHTSA. Check out the infographic below for the highlights:
