Distracted Driving, Don’t Just Single Out Cell Phones for Distraction!
Study finds drivers keep their eyes on the road better when on the phone are less distracted driving.
A new study of Distracted Driving by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows “the need for a broader strategy to deal with the ways that drivers can be distracted,” and just don’t single out cell Phones for Distracted Driving – the institute says.
In a recent article, the IIHS says its research found that “individual drivers’ overall near-crash or crash rates don’t increase the more they use their phones,” and speculates that this is because they’re just as distracted driving when they’re not on the phone.
In fact, talking may be the least dangerous part of making a call in the car. The IIHS article note that “for each 1 percentage point increase in a driver’s cellphone talking rate, the event rate fell by 0.3 percent,” while the event rate rose (albeit by a statistically insignificant amount) when drivers were reaching for their phones or dialing the number.
The IIHS also found that distracted drivers seem to keep their eyes on the road better when talking on their phones than when distracted by other things.
“The fact that they looked at the road ahead when they were talking on the phone offset the times when they looked away to make or take calls. Conversely, drivers spent more time looking away from the driving task when they were doing things other than talking on a phone.”
Adrian Lund, president of the IIHS, said, “Singling out cellphones may lead distracted drivers to disregard the fact that other behaviours that divert their attention from the road are risky, too.”
While we wait for better crash-prevention tech in our cars, the IIHS notes that there are some existing ways to improve our focus at the wheel, such as red-light cameras and more roundabouts.
If have an accident because of Distracted Driving make sure you are protected wit disability Insurance. Reduce the risk and be more attentive while driving.
reedited by www.cuttherisk.com