Distracted driving is a leading contributor to crash deaths on our roads. It’s also preventable.
For nearly 100 years, State Farm® has been committed to encouraging safe driving behaviors. Today’s drivers are surrounded by many devices and activities that may distract them from driving safely. While distractions themselves have changed over the years, the responsibility of the driver remains the same: Focus on the road and stay engaged while driving safely.
New State Farm research completed in March 2022 suggests that consumers may not be fully focused on driving. Far too often drivers are choosing to drive distracted even when they are fully aware of the danger.
The survey shows half of the drivers on the road admit to bad behavior – frightening stats:
•More than half of drivers said they “always” or “often” read or send texts.
•Nearly half interact with apps while driving.
•At least two in five drivers admitted to watching videos or manually dialing the phone while driving.
One-third of drivers reported using video chat or recording video while driving.
Distractions are varied – and can be avoided. Loud music, eating while driving, speeding, pets moving in the front seat, rubbernecking and phone usage can all be managed to prevent a crash. A person’s mental state when behind the wheel can be distracting and lead to disaster, causing more than 100,000 crashes each year.
It’s become clear that we must do more to shift the culture of distracted driving. The responsibility for change begins with each of us limiting our own distractions behind the wheel, setting an example to those around us, and asking those we care about to put down the phone and focus on the road.
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