Each year, around 3,000 people in the U.S. die from distracted driving incidents, accounting for close to 10% of all motor vehicle fatalities. Overall, car crashes are the leading cause of death in the U.S. for people ages 1 to 54. For Distracted Driving Awareness Month, FreightWaves’ Timothy Dooner spoke to Chris Hayes, Assistant Vice President for Workers’ Compensation and Transportation at Travelers Risk Control. Hayes said that drivers and businesses alike are growing more concerned with the dangers of distracted drivers.
Travelers compiles a risk index survey every year to see what the population is most concerned with and how attitudes are changing. This year, more people than ever are concerned about the dangers of distracted driving.
“Most people say that just behind drunk driving, distracted driving is the thing to be most concerned about on the road,” Hayes said.
With the proliferation of smartphones, infotainment systems and even work-related apps, it seems that the number of distractions the average person faces is increasing at an alarming rate.
According to Hayes, “80% of people think that distracted driving has gotten worse in the last couple years, and 40% of people say they’ve had a near miss or a crash because of distracted driving.”1
For truck drivers, the issue is even more critical. They have to not only maintain their own concentration, but also think about what everyone around them is doing. With potentially decreased stopping distances and other load-specific concerns, truck drivers have to be even more vigilant and aware of what’s ahead.
While many associate distracted driving with the use of cellphones, that’s far from the only culprit. Answering texts and emails is certainly among the most common and most dangerous distractions, but even hands-free calls or any other diversion can be serious causes for concern.
“Statistics show that distraction is not just visual, but also audio and cognitive. Being on the phone with dispatch for reroute instructions, for example, can be a major distraction for truck drivers,” Hayes added.
Worse, there are many other potential distractions that can affect even those drivers who are conscientious about not using their phone while in the driver seat, including things like eating while driving. Health issues and fatigue can also affect a driver’s ability to focus on the road.
How to help reduce distracted driving:
- Think about what it costs to be distracted. Is it worth the risk to answer that call or email and potentially cause one of those 3,000 deaths per year?
- Avoid calling truck drivers while they are on the road. Coach dispatchers to call only in emergencies. “Odds are, you know where they are and when they’re driving. If it’s not an emergency, choose not to call your truck drivers,” Hayes said.
- Likewise, drivers should be empowered to be safe, regardless of whether or not a manager or co-worker is reaching out to them. “As a driver, it’s important to know your limits and say, ‘I am driving, I’m not going to answer that call,’” Hayes said.
When it comes to safety, Hayes believes that 3,000 people a year dying from distracted driving is the best kind of reason to get rid of driving distractions. Nevertheless, it can be easy to think that those are just numbers and disassociate the connection to people or at times think they apply only to other people.
Every drive involves a series of decisions and responsibilities. It takes constant attention to stay at the right speed, watch the vehicles around you, remember the correct lanes for upcoming turns and watch blind spots. Taking just a moment to do anything else can have major consequences.
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1: 2024 Travelers Risk Index: Distracted Driving Edition