With technology becoming ever-present in our lives, the attention of drivers is being pulled away from the road by their devices more than ever before. From GPS to sound systems that connect to a cell phone, technology can provide convenience and entertainment while driving, but it can also be a major source of distracted driving.
Dangers
Distracted driving–anytime that a driver is not solely focused on safe driving–is a major problem in the United States, and it can have deadly consequences. Common distractions are texting or talking on your cell phone, eating and drinking, or fiddling with the radio or air conditioning. While it’s obvious that these physical tasks take a driver’s attention away from the road, strong thoughts and emotions can become dangerous distractions too.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving was responsible for 3,522 deaths in 2021 alone. In addition to fatalities, distracted driving causes countless serious injuries and immense property damage every year.
Technology’s Role
Cell phones are one of the biggest culprits for distracted driving but other in-vehicle technology can act as distractions too. GPS systems, music players, and other devices can all contribute to distracted driving when used while driving. Surprisingly, even hands-free calling does little to mitigate the distraction of having a phone call while driving–most of the distraction caused by a phone call is the cognitive focus on engaging in conversation, not the physical task of holding the cell phone.
Solutions to Reduce Distracted Driving
As technology has become more prolific and the bad habits of distracted driving have become easier to fall into than ever, basic features can help us drive safer. Many cell phones include a “Do Not Disturb While Driving” feature, which prohibits phone calls and text message notifications while a vehicle is in motion. There are advanced systems that can block audio features and track driver behavior to determine when a driver is becoming distracted by their devices. Although it is not a solution, a vehicle’s crash avoidance technology can help further mitigate the consequences of distracted driving by providing warnings when a driver is not paying attention to their surroundings, or is drifting out of their lane.
Ultimately, the only surefire way to avoid distracted driving is to develop safer driving habits and set boundaries around technology usage while driving. By focusing on safety first and taking steps while driving, we can help make the roads safer for everyone and become SAFER Drivers.
