In honor of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, this simple conversation with my son got me thinking. While it's an obvious choice not to play catch while behind the wheel, it made me realize how often we're tempted to engage in other distracting activities while drivingโwhether it's responding to a quick text message, checking our GPS, or even indulging in a bit of "rubbernecking."
๐๐๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฐ๐ง:
๐ฑ 87% of drivers surveyed admit to texting and/or talking on their phones while driving.
๐จ Approximately 15% of all nationwide accidents are a result of distracted driving, with cell phone use being the highest contributor to this alarming statistic.
๐ฐ The economic cost of all motor vehicle traffic crashes involving distracted drivers is estimated to be around $98 billion.
๐ When considering quality-of-life valuations, the total value of societal harm from motor vehicle traffic crashes involving distracted drivers is estimated to be around $395 billion.
๐ According to NHTSA, 32,657 people lost their lives in distraction-affected crashes over the ten-year period from 2012 to 2021.
๐ต Texting while driving causes accidents six times more frequently than drunk driving.
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No matter the size of the distraction, the consequences of distracted driving can be severe. Let's pledge to keep our focus where it belongsโon the road ahead. #DistractedDrivingAwarenessMonth#RoadSafety ๐๐ฆ
