Technology surrounds us in our daily lives. Its use can be a huge help yet be harmful. There are right and wrong times to use it.

Using cell phones is one of the clearest examples.

We rely on cell phones for so much: communicating with friends, checking the time or the weather, playing games, enjoying music, and so much more. But using a cell phone is  inappropriate in some situations, like face-to-face conversations, taking a test, watching a movie, and, most importantly, driving.

What Is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is any time attention is diverted while driving, like:

• Using accessories within your vehicle, like changing the radio station.
• Eating food or sipping your drink.
• Talking or listening to passengers.
• Looking at distractions outside of your car, like staring at a billboard.¹

Cell phone use is a leading cause of distracted driving. You might get a phone call from a family member or a text from a friend. You might want to change the music or check the navigation system on your phone.

If a car is your primary way to get around, you have likely witnessed distracted driving or used a cell phone while driving

Is Distracted Driving Really Dangerous?

Of course, driving can be dangerous, especially if you do not follow proper safety measures and driving laws. It is also why you need to practice and take a road test before you can get a driver’s license and while you should keep practicing with an older driver even after you get your license.

This is not an excuse to take driving lightly. Driving should never be taken lightly. Distracted driving greatly increases the chances of  crashing. Just a single action, like looking away from off the road for a few seconds, could double the risk of a crash or near crash.²

Checking your cell phone, no matter how quickly, is risky when driving. You could injure yourself, passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers.

Distracted driving can lead to serious injuries and death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving incidents killed 3,142 people and injured 324,652 nationwide in 2020.³ On average that is eight to nine deaths per day in the United States.

Cell phones were the leading cause of distracted driving, especially among people between the ages of 15 and 24. For example:⁴

• 17% of fatal crashes in 2020 involved young drivers.
• 22% of distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes were youth.
• 30% of all distracted drivers using cell phones were youth.

Growing numbers of cars, urbanization, and cell phones may increase the number of deaths and injuries caused by distracted driving.

How Can You Prevent Cell Phone Distractions While Driving?

Distracted driving is unsafe but avoidable. Keep your eyes on the road and ignore your cell phone. You cannot rely on innovations like Siri or “autopilot.”

Autopilot, for example, can be attacked by hackers or malfunction, increasing the chances of a crash. Therefore, experts, including car companies that have autonomous capabilities in their vehicles, urge drivers to always keep both hands on the wheel.

A simple solution is choosing not to use these technologies while driving. For example, put your phone on Do Not Disturb or Airplane mode if you are easily distracted by your phone notifications.

You could even download an app that locks the phone if it detects that you’re driving. This blocks all functionalities until you reach your destination or stop driving. Some phones have this technology built in, which means you can access the driving mode without downloading any apps.

Unlike Do Not Disturb or Airplane mode, these apps and the Driving Focus mode can generate an automatic reply if someone contacts you. Through apps like these, drivers can focus on the road and minimize distractions within the vehicle.

It is never too late to prevent distracted driving. Even passengers have a responsibility to speak up if they see a driver engaging in any form of distracted driving, including cell phone use.⁵ Simply spreading awareness about the dangers of distracted driving can go a long way.

Sources:

1. Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. (n.d.). Distracted driving. https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/safety/#programs/drinking/distract.asp
2. Simons-Morton BG, Guo F, Klauer SG, Ehsani JP, Pradhan AK. Keep your eyes on the road: young driver crash risk increases according to duration of distraction. J Adolesc Health. 2014 May;54(5 Suppl):S61-7.
3. National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2022, May). Distracted driving 2020 (Research Note Report No. DOT HS 813 309). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813309
4. National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2022, May). Distracted driving 2020 (Research Note Report No. DOT HS 813 309). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813309
5. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (n.d.). Distracted driving. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving