Distracted Driving Risks

Distracted Driving

Texting While Driving

• Defined as manually operating a handheld device to compose, send, or read a text message while driving
• Increases crash risk by 23 times compared to non-distracted driving (Source: VTTI)
• Reaction time is slowed by 30% when texting and driving
• Accounts for 25% of all distracted driving crashes

Driver Fatigue

• Defined as the state of being tired or sleepy while operating a vehicle
• Causes 100,000 police-reported crashes annually in the US
• Driver fatigue is a leading factor in 20-30% of all fatal crashes
• Symptoms include yawning, difficulty keeping eyes open, and drifting out of lanes

Emotional Distraction

• Defined as being mentally or emotionally preoccupied while driving
• Can be caused by stress, anxiety, or strong emotions
• Affects a driver's ability to focus on the road and react to hazards
• Can be just as dangerous as visual or manual distractions

Visual Distraction

• Defined as taking one's eyes off the road to look at something else
• Examples include:
  • Looking at a passenger or pet
  • Reading or watching videos on a screen
  • Gazing at scenery or roadside attractions
• Accounts for 65% of all distracted driving crashes

Hands-free Devices

• Defined as devices that allow drivers to make or receive phone calls or texts without physically handling their phone
• Examples include Bluetooth headsets, voice-activated systems, and speakerphones
• May not be as safe as previously thought, as they can still cause mental distractions
• Can still take a driver's attention away from the road for up to 27 seconds after a call or text

Distracted Driving

• Texting while driving increases crash risk by 23 times and slows reaction time by 30%.
• Accounts for 25% of all distracted driving crashes, with the risk of a crash 23 times higher than non-distracted driving.

Driver Fatigue

• Causes 100,000 police-reported crashes annually in the US, with driver fatigue a leading factor in 20-30% of all fatal crashes.
• Symptoms include yawning, difficulty keeping eyes open, and drifting out of lanes, as it impairs a driver's ability to focus on the road.

Emotional Distraction

• Emotional distraction can be caused by stress, anxiety, or strong emotions, affecting a driver's ability to focus on the road and react to hazards.
• Emotional distraction can be just as dangerous as visual or manual distractions, as it impairs a driver's reaction time and judgment.

Visual Distraction

• Visual distraction accounts for 65% of all distracted driving crashes, with examples including looking at a passenger or pet, reading or watching videos on a screen, and gazing at scenery or roadside attractions.
• Visual distractions take a driver's eyes off the road, increasing the risk of a crash.

Hands-free Devices

• Hands-free devices, such as Bluetooth headsets and voice-activated systems, may not be as safe as previously thought, as they can still cause mental distractions.
• Even with hands-free devices, a driver's attention can be taken away from the road for up to 27 seconds after a call or text, increasing the risk of a crash.

Learn about the dangers of texting while driving and driver fatigue, including crash risks and reaction time effects.