With a different new study every night blaring across our daily news, important statistics can often get lost in the shuffle. Our perpetually busy lives fuel an inability to maintain focus with never-ending distractions for the newest, latest thing. Most lacking our attention are the horrible statistics on distracted drivers.
In 2011, it was reported that 3,331 people were killed in the United States in crashes involving a distracted driver and an additional 387,000 people were injured. Another interesting report by the U.S. Department of Transportation stated that very few drivers recognize they sometimes drift out of the lane while talking on a phone, with younger drivers under 25 more likely to report that they drift out of the lane when texting as opposed to older drivers. With statistics mounting, the era of touchscreens, navigation systems, and iPhones has bred a nation of distracted drivers.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is so anxious about such a future full of distracted drivers that it recently put out a 177-page set of proposed guidelines that virtually says anything digital sensory, including navigation systems, is a dangerous distraction. Driver behavior is responsible for 80 to 90 percent of road accidents, meaning that preventable behaviors contribute to preventable injuries and fatalities. Knowing that all of us are guilty at one time or another, look through the compiled list below of the 10 most dangerous habits of distracted drivers.
1. Talking on the Phone
Keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road with Voice Assist, Inc. (OTCQB: VSST) technology. See a demo at www.VoiceAssit.com.
2. Day Dreaming
Keep your head out of the clouds and on the road.
3. Texting and Social Media
Disturbingly, 77 percent of young adult drivers say they can safely drive while texting. Voice Assist enables hands-free texting, email, and posting/tweeting on social networks.
4. Watching Roadside Advertisements
Ignore those attention-grabbing billboards and digital screens.
5. Gadget Accessories
No playing with your GPS, iPhone, and DVD cords. Hook everything up before you start driving.
6. Sleepy Drivers
Nearly 41 percent of drivers say they’ve fallen asleep behind the wheel at some point or another, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
7. Children
Form a game plan for keeping children entertained for the entire car ride. Movies are a great option.
8. Pets
Consider a traveling case or mesh gate to separate the front seats from the back. Refrain from cuddling your pets until you get to your destination.
9. Grooming
Fixing your hair or admiring your perfect mane may land you in the other lane.
10. Food
Save that snack for when parked or safely home. Fidgeting fingers mean distracted gaze.
With a little preparation and hands-free technology, distracted driving can be a thing of the past. Laws and regulations are fueling the demand for new solutions and raising awareness of just how dangerous taking your eyes off the road can be. To learn more about a company leading the charge, visit www.VoiceAssit.com.
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