You cannot drive safely if the task of driving does not have your full attention. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of an accident. There is little information on drivers` compliance with SMS bans. A 2009 IIHS survey of drivers found that among 18- to 24-year-olds, 45% reported texting while driving in states that prohibit the practice, just ahead of 48% of drivers texting in states without prohibitions (Braitman and McCartt, 2010). Among drivers ages 25 to 29, 40 percent reported texting in banned states, compared to 55 percent in states without a ban. NHTSA is leading the fight against distracted driving nationwide by educating Americans about its dangers and working with states and local police to enforce distracted driving laws that protect us. In New York City, as in many other states, distracted driving laws focus solely on technology-related distractions. Under the current law, it is illegal for drivers to use handheld devices to talk to mobile phones while driving, and texting and similar use of portable electronic devices are also prohibited. County Health Rankings and Road Maps provides information on methods to improve community health, including a description of the link between strict enforcement of distracted driving laws and health. Any task or activity that causes a driver to look away from the road and not pay attention to their surroundings is an activity that causes distracted driving. Traffic laws vary from state to state.
However, most states have enacted distracted driving laws. Many recently enacted laws prohibit driving with a mobile phone or driving by texting. In addition, a British newspaper, The Telegraph, reported in 2012 on a study from the University of Leeds, which found that the reaction times of drivers who eat while driving are about 44% slower than usual, while those who drink while driving are about 22% slower in their reaction times. It may be time to consider additional measures. Because if the goal is to protect the public from the dangers of distracted driving, it would make sense to tackle all forms of distracted driving, including those that can be just as dangerous (if not more so) than texting and talking on mobile phones. Parents should first lead by example – never driving distracted – and talk to their young driver about distraction and all the responsibilities that come with driving. Ask all family members to sign the pledge to commit to distraction-free driving. Remind your teen driver that in states with graduated driver`s licenses (GDLs), violating distracted driving laws can mean a delayed or suspended driver`s license. Any activity involving the use of a smartphone that reduces the driver`s ability to focus on the road can be considered an offence. It is generally considered acceptable to listen to a music playlist or use an audio-guided GPS program via a smartphone, provided that the driver programs these functions in the vehicle before starting the trip. The evidence is clearer when it comes to texting or manipulating a mobile phone.
Publications from the naturalist study of more than 3,000 drivers showed that the risk of crashes was 2 to 6 times higher when drivers tampered with a mobile phone than when they were not distracted (Dingus et al., 2016; Kidd and McCartt, 2015; Owens et al., 2018). Depending on the age group, there was a significant increase in the risk of crashes for drivers under 30 years of age and drivers over 64 years of age (Guo et al., 2016). Teens can be the best messengers to their peers, so we encourage them to speak up when they see a friend driving distracted, ask their friends to sign a pledge, never drive distracted, get involved in their local chapter “Students Against Destructive Decisions,” and share social media posts that remind their friends of family and neighbors, so as not to make the fatal decision to drive distracted. Using your mobile phone while driving is not only dangerous, but also illegal. In California, you can`t use a cell phone or similar electronic communication device while holding it in your hand. You can only use it hands-free, such as with a speaker or voice commands, but never while holding it. It is forbidden for any driver under the age of 18 to use a mobile phone for any reason. NHTSA`s campaigns and public announcements make it clear to Americans that driving safely means driving without distractions. You`ve probably seen or heard our public announcements, but we`re also on Facebook and Twitter, sharing stories and tips to save lives.
The use of mobile phones also affects the way drivers scan and process information from the road. Drivers usually take their eyes off the road to dial or manipulate a mobile phone. In contrast, drivers who engage in telephone conversations and other forms of cognitive distraction tend to focus their gaze on the centre of the roadway (Recarte & Nunes, 2000; Remap and Nunes, 2003; Reimer et al., 2012), but their attention can still be diverted from driving, making it difficult for drivers to process what they see (Strayer et al., 2003). While smartphones can be very useful and useful, they can also pose safety risks when used while driving. Due to the many functions that smartphones can perform, a driver can easily get distracted while using a smartphone while driving. The legal consequences of distracted driving can also increase if a person has committed repeated offences. If the violation causes serious injury to another person, the penalty may be more severe and may include higher fines or a longer jail term.
