Distracted Driving is increasing worldwide as smartphone usage has soared. Distracted driving includes any activity that can divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger and bystander safety.

There are three types of distraction:

1. Visual- Taking your eyes off the road.
2. Manual- Taking your hands off the wheel
3. Cognitive- Taking your mind off of driving

Food and Drink

Over half of (51%) of all drivers admitted that their driving had been compromised at least once by their decision to eat/drink while behind the wheel.

Music

3 in every 5 motorists have said they had been distracted while driving by their radio and CD player. Drivers flicking through songs on their IPhones adds additional risks.

Phone Calls

Despite TV advertising campaigns warning of the dangers, almost 1 in 4 (23%) of drivers admitted that they had made or received phone calls while driving.

Slowing down to look at an accident-

One in five (21%) of motorists admitted to have slowed down to have a look at an accident which has occurred involving other motorists. Looking at an accident means that the motorist takes their eyes off the road ahead, increasing chances of becoming involved in an accident.

Sending text messages.

A staggering 16% of motorists have admitted to texting behind the wheel rather than focusing on the road.

Social networking- As smartphones have become more widespread, drivers are now accessing their social networking accounts while driving. Remarkably 2% admitted to updating their Facebook profiles while behind the wheel, while 1% of drivers admitting to having tweeted when driving.

Drivers who are texting can be more than 20 times more likely to crash than non-distracted drivers.

According to the World Health Organization more than 1.2 million die in road crashes worldwide each year- the equivalent of one traffic-related fatality every 30 seconds.

A further 20 to 50 million people are injured.

By 2030, road traffic injuries are projected to be the fifth leading cause of death worldwide, surpassing HIV/AIDS, all forms of cancer, violence, and diabetes.

Drive behavior is responsible for 80-90% of these road crashes, meaning that preventable behaviors contribute more to fatalities and injuries than road conditions or vehicle defects.