Safe Driving: Avoiding Common Distractors

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) released a report which names some of the top “distractors” that have a negative effect on drivers. The danger of these distractors is that they take our eyes off the road and impair our concentration when driving. According to the NHTSA/VTTI study, nearly 80% of car crashes are caused by interrupting a driver’s attention. Here are some more startling facts:

• Fatigue - Drowsy driving increases the risk of a crash by 400%.
• Cell phone use - New Jersey is one of four states to mandate the use of a hands-free device for cell phones. Even with this added security, driving while on the phone is a distraction -- using your cell phone while driving will make you 1.3 times as likely to be in an accident.
• Reaching - Reaching for something while driving increases your risk of a crash by a striking 900%.
• How’s the View? People who take their eyes off the road to focus on something outside the car are four times as likely to be in an accident.

Keeping drivers free of distractions is a critical component of safe driving. Make sure you take the necessary steps to reduce your risk.

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