The Dangers Of Distracted Driving Infographic

Distracted driving costs billions of dollars per year in damages, and kills on average five thousand people annually. That’s a lot of destruction for only 25 percent of the share in car accidents. Much of this is due to the increase of smartphone usage, as people tend to pay more attention to devices than the road in front of them. There are some laws on the books to help fight this trend, but laws may not be enough to modify human habits.

Right now, only seven states in the US require drivers to have their hands free, and 21 others prohibit texting while driving. This is definitely a step in the right direction, but there is still much to be done to reduce the mortality and accident rates. People will need to become proactive in combating this trend, which means being conscious of dangerous behavior behind the wheel.

Texting is not the only task that distracted drivers are guilty of. Emailing and making phone calls also make the top of the list, and as the number of smartphone users increase, so will the amount of distracted drivers on the road. Bluetooth headsets and car stereos are an effective way to keep drivers focused, with their hands on the wheel. Ultimately, what needs to happen is that drivers reserve their phone usage for emergencies, and prohibit any activity that takes your hands off the wheel, and your mind off the road.