For your own well-being, you need to understand that every charge of distracted driving is taken seriously. You shouldn`t blame yourself by suggesting that you`re not looking at the street or that you`ve been distracted by something. For example, we often see drivers saying to the police, “I just grabbed the radio,” thinking that is an innocent remark. But this can be considered evidence of distraction, even if you`ve been alert all along. 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. Accident prevention technology may be the most promising way to reduce the risk of accidents associated with distractions of all kinds. Warnings can redirect the attention of a distracted, inattentive or sleepy driver on the road when the risk of a collision is detected. Some systems try to avoid collision altogether if a driver doesn`t react fast enough or not at all. People who use cell phones more often while driving may be riskier drivers in other ways. In an IIHS study of drivers who were continuously monitored for one year, drivers who spent most of their driving time interacting with a mobile phone also had the highest rates of near misses and crashes (Farmer et al., 2015).

In a road study, drivers who reported frequent cell phone use drove faster, changed lanes more frequently, and performed more difficult braking maneuvers than drivers who reported rarely using their cell phones while driving (Zhao et al., 2013). It`s important to remember that even in states that haven`t enacted specific driving bans on mobile phone use, doing so (without a speaker) can violate more general laws against distracted driving. It is not clear that banning the use of mobile phones and SMS reduces accidents. This is despite the fact that IIHS research has documented that cell phone bans reduce overall phone use. Accidents have increased in recent years, but not overall cell phone use. Drivers are distracted from things other than cell phones, so banning phone use doesn`t eliminate distracted driving. More comprehensive countermeasures that prevent drivers from being distracted or mitigate the consequences of distracted driving, such as crash prevention technology, may be more effective than cell phone bans. Distracted driving occurs when a driver performs an activity that distracts from driving. Distractions may include using cell phones or other handheld devices, talking to passengers, eating or drinking, reading, adjusting the radio, or using a navigation system while driving. According to US-DOT, 3,328 people were killed in distracted driving accidents in the United States in 2012. The introduction of laws restricting the use of cell phones and other hand-held devices while driving, the enforcement of these laws through highly visible campaigns, and the education of drivers about the laws and their importance could have positive effects on health.

NHTSA`s blueprint to end distracted driving includes strategies to raise awareness, strengthen enforcement, and reduce distracted driving. These efforts could improve safety, although more evidence is needed to prove their effectiveness. You can visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) external symbol website for more information on how traffic fatality data is collected and the limitations of distracted driving data. At the same time, look for signs that the other driver was distracted. Don`t assume they drove carefully just because you didn`t see a cell phone. If they mention the radio, take care of their children, or even have the sun in their eyes, these statements could help you get the insurance money you need. Some states punish distracted driving with general laws that do not specify what exact activities are prohibited, but set general parameters. Distracted driving regulations generally define distracted driving as something that, while driving a motor vehicle: The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials: Improving transportation safety policy Guide provides information on methods to reduce motor vehicle crashes, including ways to reduce distracted driving.

There are other states that prohibit the use of cell phones, even with hands-free settings by certain categories of drivers, including those under the age of 18. In addition, many states have laws that prohibit driving by texting. In Georgia, distracted driving is illegal. It is also considered grounds for guilt if it causes a car accident. In other words, a distracted driver can be blamed for the total cost of an accident simply because they were distracted when it happened.