November 23, 2014
Put Away the Driver Distractions and Arrive Safely this Holiday Season
The holiday season is right around the corner and thousands of people in Georgia will hit the road to spend time with loved ones. Unfortunately, many of these drivers will be distracted from the task at hand: driving.
Distracted driving is a growing safety risk and a major cause of automobile crashes. Ask almost anyone who operates a vehicle, and they will tell you they’ve seen fellow motorists texting behind the wheel; and chances are they have done it themselves. In fact, at any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or electronic devices while driving, according to a 2011 National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS). Drivers who use cellular phones while driving are four times more likely to have a crash than those who refrain from this risky behavior.
This year, State Farm conducted a first-of-its-kind survey of Hispanic drivers. Survey respondents provided some important feedback, especially for those of us living and driving in the Peach State.
Three in 10 Hispanic drivers said they engaged in webbing while driving, a newer phenomenon due to smartphone technology. Nearly 37 percent text and drive and the majority of drivers (54 percent) program a navigation system/GPS while driving. The survey revealed that approximately one quarter indicated reading emails, responding to emails, reading social media, and updating social media while driving.
So what is the solution? State Farm believes a comprehensive approach to reducing distracted driving is needed. Education and awareness, technology, legislation and law enforcement are all important components.
As part of a graduated driver licensing system, State Farm supports a ban on the use of cell phones (for any purpose) by drivers under the age of 18 as well as a ban on texting while driving for all drivers. Teens are at a greater risk for crashes because of their inexperience behind the wheel. Add in distractions and you have a recipe for disaster.
We understand that it takes time for social change; it doesn’t happen overnight. Just look at the use of seat belts across the United States. In 1980, the voluntary seat belt usage rate was only 11 percent, but thanks to education and awareness, legislation, and law enforcement, the usage rate increased to 87 percent in 2013, saving countless lives.
This is a problem that can be solved, but it takes personal responsibility, self-discipline, and setting a good example for younger generations. Parents – your children are watching you from the time they can see over the backseat. Please make sure to set a good example of focusing only on driving. Place your phone in your glove box or trunk if the temptation to check it while driving is too much to resist.
By working together to reduce distracted driving behaviors that occur on our highways and roads, we can save lives and make highway travel a bit safer. On behalf of all of the State Farm family in Georgia, I wish you a safe and happy holiday season.
Renate Dugans
State Farm
2014 Hispanic Distracted Driving Survey Report: https://wss.opr.statefarm.org/sites/WSS003178/PRD_ContentLibrary/PR%20%20Digital%20Content%20Library/DistractedDrivingReport2014_HispanicSample.pdf