Distracted driving includes cell phone use while driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and driving in a condition of insufficient sleep.
According to the National Highway Safety Council, one of the most common errors drivers make is driving distracted. Distracted driving includes cell phone use while driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and driving in a condition of insufficient sleep.
Inattention blindness: the use of cellular phones and other communication devices causes “inattention blindness” – safe drivers have their attention on the road at all times. Even though hands-free phones may improve attentiveness, it is best to hang up and drive.
Driving the influence (DUI) puts everyone on the road at risk for serious, life-threatening motor vehicle crashes. According to the CDC, in 2016 28% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States were due to alcohol impaired driving. Of the more than 1200 traffic deaths among children ages 0 to 14 years in 2016, 17% involved an alcohol impaired driver.
Buckle up for safety. Did you know that on average, 66% of teen-aged passengers dying in automobile crashes were not wearing seat belts!
Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children. Make certain your child’s car seat is properly installed and adjusted. Read and carefully obey manufacturers recommendations for installation and maintenance. And remember this – the National Highway Traffic Administration states it is mandatory to replace car seats involved in a motor vehicle accident that results in injury to any occupant or in which airbags deploy.
Finally, if your motor vehicle is subject to recall, pay attention. Get it fixed. According to the National Safety Council, 1 in 4 automobiles on the road have an unresolved safety recall. Like driving under the influence, unsafe vehicles put everyone at risk.
This is Dr. Jim for Be Healthy! Be Happy! Power your path to happiness! Protect you and your loved ones. Drive with safety in mind!
References:
National Safety Council, 2019. More than 90% of crashes caused by human error. Online [available at]: https://wwwCenter for disease.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics Accessed June 19, 2019.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2019. Impaired Driving: Get the Facts. Online [available at]: https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html Accessed June 19, 2019.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2019. Car Seat Use After a Crash. Online [available at]: https://www.nhtsa.gov/car-seats-and-booster-seats/car-seat-use-after-crash Accessed June 19, 2019.