Since 2020, distracted driving and accidents have seen a significant increase. It’s now a leading cause of death for children and young adults, according to the CDC.
Now more than ever, we must take steps to practice careful, safe, and mindful driving.
Distracted driving and auto accidents are happening more now than ever before. Practice safe driving with these tips.
Many people think distracted driving is only related to cell phones and technology. But distracted driving means anything that distracts your attention from driving. The CDC separates distracted driving into three groups:
This includes common distractions while driving, such as:
Some of these distractions, such as children, are not easy to manage. But many of these situations are in your control as the driver.
Keep in mind that in many states, using your phone while driving is illegal.
The impact of distracted driving is clear in the statistics. How many crashes a year are due to distracted driving?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 31,785 people died in traffic accidents in the first nine months of 2022. So far, in 2023, about 9% (or around 3,000) were due to distracted driving.
Although reckless driving has decreased slightly since 2020, it’s still much higher than it was before the pandemic.
But it’s not all driver-related. Cars have increased in power and capability as well. For example, a 2000 Toyota Camry could go from 0 to 60 mph in about 8 seconds with a horsepower of 136. A more recent model, such as the 2020 Toyota Camry, can go from 0 to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds with 200 horsepower.
This leads to a dangerous combo. Drivers have more distractions than ever as cars become faster and more powerful.
Distracted driving prevention is a conscious effort to reduce its impact and intensity, even if distractions cannot be avoided entirely. Here are a few quick steps to take to reduce your distractions:
When you practice safe driving, you safeguard yourself and your loved ones, set a good example for those around you, and reduce risks for others.
At Vault, we know risk education and mitigation are key to reducing the severity of loss. Protecting your assets is more than insuring them, it’s looking at the bigger picture to reduce all possible risks. We provide all-encompassing risk management services to help proactively safeguard the life you’ve built – that’s the Vault difference.
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Distracted driving and auto accidents are happening more now than ever before. Practice safe driving with these tips.
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