Shattered Dreams: Distracted Driving Changes Lives

Distracted Driving Research

• ​Teens and Young Drivers

  
  

  • Young Drivers Report Highest Level of Phone Involvement in Crash or Near-Crash Incidences
    A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration survey found 20% of drivers age 18-20 said texting does not affect their driving, and nearly 30% of drivers ages 21-34 said texting has no impact.
  • Distracted Driving Among Newly Licensed Teen Drivers
    AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety placed data recorders in the vehicles of young drivers to capture video, audio, sudden braking, abrupt turns and other information. If you have a teen driver, you'll at least want to read the executive summary of this eye-opening study.
  • Sample videos showing distraction and teen crashes
    Check out this AAA Foundation video posted in March 2015.
  • Teens and Distracted Driving: Texting, talking and other uses of the cell phone behind the wheel
    Madden & Lenhart (2009) Pew Internet & American Life Project

  
  

  Hands-free Devices

  
  

  • Understanding the Distracted Brain: This NSC white paper examines why driving while using hands-free devices is risky
  • AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety: Research shows that voice-activated in-car technologies dangerously undermine driver attention
  • Voice-to-text offers no safety advantage over manual texting, says a study conducted by Texas A&M Transportation Institute

  
  Cell Phone use Compared to Alcohol-impaired Driving

  
  

  • Fatal Distraction? A Comparison of the Cell Phone Driver and the Drunk Driver
    Strayer, Drews, Crouch (2006)

  
  

  Cell Phone use is Under-reported

  
  

  • Driver cell phone use is under-reported by authorities. This NSC white paper examines the challenges of collecting and reporting reliable crash data

  
  Be sure to check out the U.S. government website for distracted driving. It contains up-to-date research reports, statistics and video testimonials, as well as resources for teens, parents, teachers, employers and community groups.

Multitasking is a Myth

Driving and cell phone conversations both require a great deal of thought. When doing them at the same time, your brain is unable to do either well. For example, it's nearly impossible to read a book and have a phone conversation. While driving, this often results in crashes due to delayed braking times and not seeing traffic signals.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Distracted Driving: One Call Can Change Everything

• Thousands have Died in Crashes Involving Cell Phone Use

   

  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.

  Make no mistake: This multitasking technology is about convenience, not safety.