DISTRACTED DRIVING

WHAT WE KNOW

• The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has long been concerned with the issues of distracted driving and novice drivers. After an investigation, the Board recommended that all states prohibit holders of learner’s permits and intermediate licenses from using cell phones or pagers while driving.
• A recent study shows that drivers engaged in phone conversations were less aware of traffic movements around them.
• Using a hands-free unit does not eliminate the distraction of having a cell phone conversation while driving.
• The NTSB noted that the number of car crashes related to the use of phones while driving is unknown because most jurisdictions do not have driver distraction codes on their accident report forms.
• Education should be a key component of any effort to reduce the risk of traffic collisions resulting from cellular telephone use; some believe education could prove to be more effective than sanctions.
  Young drivers do only 20% of their driving at night, but more than half of crash fatalities of adolescent drivers occur during nighttime hours.
• The risk of a crash involving a teenage driver increases with each additional teen passenger in the vehicle.

It only takes a second for a crash to happen. Distractions occur when drivers concentrate on something other than operating their vehicles, such as engaging in cell phone conversations (or watching DVDs!).

• NHTSA estimates that 25% of all crashes involve some form of driver distraction.

• A recent NHTSA survey found that nearly 75% of drivers reported using their phone while driving, and an estimated 60% of cell phone use takes place behind the wheel.

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