July 3, 2019 | Consider this. When you send or read a text message, you take your eyes off the road for about five seconds, long enough to cover the length a football field while driving at 55 miles per hour. Distracted driving is driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving. More than 37,000 Americans were killed in auto accidents in 2017, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Nine percent of those fatalities were the result of distracted driving, which involves three types of distraction. One, the driver takes his or her eyes off the road. Second, the driver takes his or her hands off the steering wheel. And third, something that causes the driver to take their mind off driving. Talking or texting on a cell phone, using a navigation system, and eating while driving are a few examples of distracted driving. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.

July 3, 2019 | There’s no question that mobile devices are popular and can be very handy at times. Approximately 481,000 drivers in this country will use their cell phone at some point during daylight hours, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The largest portion of this group is drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 42 percent of high school students reported sending a text or email while driving. Students who reported frequent texting while driving were also less likely to wear a seatbelt and more likely to drink and drive. Unfortunately, there is currently no nationwide ban on texting or using a wireless phone while driving, but a number of states have passed laws banning texting or wireless phones or requiring hands-free use of wireless phones while driving. 47 states have banned texting while driving while 38 states ban all cell phone use by novice drivers.

July 3, 2019 | A total of 2,526 Americans between the ages of 15 and 19 were killed in auto crashes in 2017. 229 of those fatalities were the result of distracted driving. Parents and guardians should take certain precautions to prevent young drivers from becoming part of such statistics. First and foremost, new drivers should get simple, clear instruction about not using wireless devices while driving. Before new drivers get their licenses, discuss the fact that taking their eyes off the road – even for a few seconds – could lead to an injury or even death. Talk to family and friends about the importance of driving without distractions. Take information to your kids’ schools and ask that it be shared with students and parents. And be sure to lead by example. No one should text and drive. Be an example for others and if you need to text or talk on the phone, pull over to a safe place. Set rules for yourself and your household regarding distracted driving.

July 3, 2019 | When it comes to impaired driving, cell phones and navigation devices are not the only distractions drivers need to be concerned with. When it comes to safe driving, it’s not the driver’s age but their ability that matters. So when should someone give up their car keys and leave the responsibility of driving to someone else? If you have difficulty locating familiar places or you feel unsafe on the road, you might want to consider limiting your driving. Be aware that certain medications may make you sleepy and cause you to have difficulty reading road signs. Have you had several moving violations, near misses or actual crashes? Do you feel anxious or confused by the presence of other drivers? Do you find yourself inadvertently drifting into other lanes or that other drivers are frequently honking at you when you drive? If so, you may want to consider turning over your keys and  exploring transportation services available to older adults.

July 3, 2019 | Drinking and driving is hazardous but so is drowsy driving. A dangerous combination of driving and fatigue, drowsy driving usually happens when the driver has not slept enough but it can also occur as a result of untreated sleep disorders, the use of alcohol and taking certain medications. Commercial drivers who operate tow trucks and buses are at risk for drowsy driving as well as those who work the night shift. If you find yourself yawning or blinking frequently or drifting from lane to lane, pull over to rest or let someone else take the wheel. Simply rolling down the window or turning up the radio are not effective ways to stay alert. To prevent drowsy driving, be sure to get plenty of sleep. Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep a day. Avoid drinking alcohol or taking medications that make you sleepy. And if you have symptoms of a sleep disorder such as snoring or feeling sleepy during the day, talk to your physician about treatment options.