Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Safety behind the wheel isn't just defensive driving. It also means staying focused and avoiding distractions.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, up to thirty percent of all traffic accidents-- that's over one million accidents every year-- are caused by drivers who get distracted.
In today's fast-paced world, multi-tasking is the name of the game. In an effort to do it all, it seems we do it all while driving.
Talking, eating, touching up make-up. One thing's for sure-- your attention is distracted. And according to a new study from AAA and the University of North Carolina, almost all drivers are affected, even when the cameras are rolling and they know they're being watched.
Robert L. Darbelent/ AAA President & CEO: "VIRTUALLY 97% OF THE PEOPLE ENGAGE AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER IN SOME ACTIVITY FOR SOME PERIOD OF TIME THAT IS A SOURCE OF DISTRACTION."
Researchers used video cameras to see how 70 drivers behaved behind the wheel of their own cars. They found it's an everyday occurrence.
Over three hours, almost all were distracted by something outside-- people on the street or rubber-necking to see an accident. But everyone had distractions inside their car.
Nearly a third used cell phones while their cars were moving. But that's not all.
40% were reading or writing.
71% were snacking or having a meal.
Most people fiddled with the radio, and nearly everyone leaned over to reach for something.
Passengers can be a problem as well, especially babies who distracted drivers an average of eight times an hour.
Jane Darnell was surprised to see the cameras caught her reading and putting on makeup.
Jane Darnell/ AAA Study Participant: "I HAVE AN EXCELLENT DRIVING RECORD AND I HAVEN'T GOTTEN INTO ANY ACCIDENTS. AND THAT'S QUITE SURPRISING LOOKING AT THE VIDEO."
Taken as a whole, the drivers were busy with some sort of distraction up to 16 percent of the total time their car was moving.
And that spells trouble when you consider how many drivers may be distracted at any one time.
The drivers were most likely to swerve when they were reaching, eating, using cell phones, or taking care of infants.
The bottom line-- there's a time and a place for everything. Safe driving has to be the priority.
