During the month of March, the National Injury Prevention Foundation and its ThinkFirst program want to remind everyone how to stay safe while driving. Vehicle crashes caused by distracted driving can result in traumatic injuries – one of the leading causes of death and disability in children, teens and adults.

What is distracted driving? It occurs any time you take your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel or your mind off driving!

Examples of Distractions:

• Texting.
• Using a hands-free phone.
• Eating and drinking.
• Loud passengers.
• Talking to passengers or turning to see passengers in the back seat.
• Grooming.
• Reading.
• Operating a navigation device.
• Adjusting the radio.

How dangerous is distracted driving? Most people do not think about the consequences or believe they drive well enough to avoid them. Distracted driving causes crashes that can take lives and cause devastating, permanent injuries such as brain and spinal cord injuries. When you cause a crash because you were distracted, you bear many burdens such as traffic violations, insurance claims and financial costs. But the resulting feelings of guilt, remorse and regret can also be devastating and difficult to deal with.

The Most Dangerous Distraction is Texting

Driving demands the full attention of the driver – that’s the reality. Talking on the phone and texting decreases the driver’s concentration considerably. Texting while driving involves manual, visual and cognitive distraction at the same time! Just imagine: The average text takes your eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds. At 55 miles per hour, that is like driving the length of an entire football field blindfolded!

How can you reduce your risk of driving while distracted? Do not look at your phone, even at intersections—wait until you’re off the road and the motor is turned off. While some states allow hands-free talking on a phone while driving, most do not allow hands-free for novice drivers—during your first years of driving.

Statistics Show:

• The highest incidence of self-reported crash or near crash experiences with the highest incidence of phone involvement at the time of these experiences is with drivers 16-20 years of age.
• Among drivers 16-20 years of age, 40% have answered a phone call while driving, and 33% have made a phone call while driving.
• Among drivers 16-20 years of age, 14% have sent text messages while driving, and 18% have read text messages.
• In 16% fatal crashes involving distracted drivers 15-19 years of age, the cell phone was identified as the distraction.

What Can You do About Distracted Driving?

• Put your phone away! Do not talk, type or look at it.
• Adjust navigation devices prior to driving.
• Adjust music volume prior to driving.
• Do not eat, drink or groom while driving.
• Speak up and encourage passengers to not be loud.

Get Involved

It is always important to be a safe driver and a safe passenger. Parents should lead by example. Talk with your young driver about distractions and all the responsibilities that come with driving. Employers can spread the word about the dangers of distracted driving to their employees. And remember – teens can be the best messengers with their peers.

Contact Lori Leonard, BSN, RN, CEN, Aultman Trauma Services, at 330-363-6186 to schedule a ThinkFirst For Teens presentation on preventing traffic-related injuries!