WHAT IS DISTRACTED DRIVING?



Key Facts and Statistics

In 2009, 5,474 people were killed in crashes involving driver distraction, and an estimated 448,000 were injured. (NHTSA)

16% of fatal crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving. (NHTSA)

20% of injury crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving. (NHTSA)

In the month of June 2011, more than 196 billion text messages were sent or received in the US, up nearly 50% from June 2009. (CTIA)

Teen drivers are more likely than other age groups to be involved in a fatal crash where distraction is reported. In 2009, 16% of teen drivers involved in a fatal crash were reported to have been distracted. (NHTSA)

40% of all American teens say they have been in a car when the driver used a cell phone in a way that put people in danger. (Pew)

Drivers who use hand-held devices are 4 times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Monash University)

Text messaging creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted. (VTTI)

Sending or receiving a text takes a driver's eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent at 55 mph or driving the length of an entire football field blind. (VTTI)

Headset cell phone use is not substantially safer than hand-held use. (VTTI)

Using a cell phone while driving - whether it's hand-held or hands-free delays a driver's reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent. (University of Utah)

Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37%. (Carnegie Mellon)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The best way to help fight distracted driving is to get educated, and this page is a great place to start. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions that will help you better understand the safety threat posed by texting and cell phone use on America's roadways.

Is distracted driving really a problem?

Distracted driving kills. The friends, family, and neighbors of the thousands of people killed each year in distracted driving crashes will tell you it is a very serious safety problem. The nearly half a million people injured each year will agree.

What is distracted driving?

Distraction occurs any time you take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your mind off your primary task: driving safely. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.

I'm a pretty good driver. Can't some people text or talk on the phone and drive safely?

No, they can't. Research indicates that the burden of talking on a cell phone - even if it's hands-free - saps the brain of 39% of the energy it would ordinarily devote to safe driving. Using a cell phone while driving delays your reaction time as much as having a blood alcohol concentration of .08, the legal limit for drunk driving. Drivers who use a hand-held device are 4 times more likely to get into a crash serious enough to cause injury. Texting drivers are 23 times more likely to get involved in a crash.

If it's so dangerous, why do people do it?

Some people still don't know how dangerous distracted driving is. Others know about the risks of texting and talking while driving, but still choose to do so anyway. They make the mistake of thinking the statistics don't apply to them, that they can defy the odds. Still, others simply lead busy, stressful lives and use cell phones and smartphones to stay connected with their families, friends, and workplaces. They forget or choose not to shut these devices off when they get behind the wheel.

Who are the most serious offenders?

Our youngest and most inexperienced drivers are most at risk with 16% of all distracted driving crashes involving drivers under 20. But they are not alone. At any given moment during daylight hours, over 800,000 vehicles are being driven by someone using a hand-held cell phone.

Sending or reading one text is pretty quick, unlike a phone conversation - wouldn't that be okay?

Texting is the most alarming distraction because it involves manual, visual, and cognitive distraction simultaneously. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field blindfolded. It is extraordinarily dangerous.

Is it safe to use a hands-free device to talk on a cell phone while driving?

So far, the research indicates that the cognitive distraction of having a hands-free phone conversation causes drivers to miss the important visual and audio cues that would ordinarily help you avoid a crash.

Why doesn't the U.S. Department of Transportation make distracted driving illegal?

Passenger car driving behavior falls under the jurisdiction of the individual states, so the U.S. DOT can't ban it. Congress has considered a number of good laws to prevent distracted driving, but unfortunately nothing has passed yet. However, many states have stepped up to pass tough laws against texting, talking on a cell phone, and other distractions. You can visit our State Laws page to learn about the laws in your state at www.distraction.gov/content/get-the-facts/state-laws.html.

What else can DOT do to prevent distracted driving?

Even though we can't make texting or talking on a cell phone while driving illegal, we have been pretty busy. Please visit our DOT Action page to learn more at www.distraction.gov/content/dot-action/index.html.

What can I do to help?

We're glad you asked! You've already taken the first step by visiting this site and learning about the dangers of distracted driving. The next thing you'll want to do is protect yourself.Take the pledge to drive phone-free and turn your cell phone off when you turn your ignition on. And if you're a passenger make sure your driver does the same. If you want to do more please take a look at our Get Involved section at www.distraction.gov/content/get-involved/index.html - we've got plenty of ideas to get you started.

BEHIND THE WHEEL – MINIMIZE LIABILITY FOR EMPLOYEE NEGLIGENCE ON THE ROAD

On the heels of a stringent new set of regulations by the U.S. Department of Transportation restricting the use of hand-held cellular phones by commercial motor vehicle drivers that can result in fines for both drivers and their employers, it is more important than ever that employers be aware of the potential liability they face for employees’ actions behind the wheel. Remember these rules if you have employees who drive any vehicle for work:

Employers are on the Hook With Vicarious Liability:

• Business owners are generally responsible for injuries to third parties caused by employees acting within the scope of their employment regardless of whether the employee is driving a company owned vehicle or a personal vehicle.
  
  
  
• Within the scope of employment means you or your manager authorized the employee to do it, or it is necessary for the employee to carry out his or her job function.
  
  
• The business owner does not have to know what the employee is doing when they are involved in an incident, as long as the activity is related to the employment.
  
  
  
• Exception: when an employee commits an intentional bad act, or when they deviate so far from work related activities that it ends the employment relationship.
  

Negligent Entrustment:

• Business owners may also be held liable if they allow an employee whom they know to be unlicensed, incompetent, or unqualified to drive a company car.
  
  
  
• Knowledge of incompetence may be knowledge that the employee had been drinking alcohol, or a history of reckless driving by the employee.
  
  
  
• A business owner will be liable if he or she knew or had reason to know that an employee was incompetent to drive.
  

Safety Tips:

Be sure that your employees are aware of the relevant laws and practice safe driving habits:

• Ban all employees from texting or talking on the phone while driving for work.
  
  
  
• Encourage employees to always pull over before using a cell phone in a car.
  
  
  
• Limit or altogether end any work related driving by employees with poor driving records.
  
  
  
• Be sure to update your company’s policy and any employee handbooks to reflect the most recent regulations in your area regarding distracted driving.
  

The fine for violating the rule is up to $2,750 for drivers and up to $11,000 for employers. Additionally, a driver who is convicted of using a hand-held cellular phone or a Commercial Driver’s License holder convicted of two or more serious traffic violations may be disqualified from operating CMVs under the rule.

The rule, became effective January 3, 2012.