Your phone buzzes. You glance down at your latest text. BOOM! A crash.
Just 3 seconds of distracted driving is all it takes for an accident to occur, according to the National Highway Safety Administration, and statistics show it is a major epidemic:
- 36,000 people are injured each month in crashes involving a distracted driver
- 80% of highway collisions involve driver inattention
- 50% of the driving environment, including stop signs, pedestrians, and red lights, isn’t seen during phone conversations – handheld or hands-free
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the message is clear: don’t text and drive. Don’t talk and drive. Pull over if you have text or make a call during drive time. Even hands-free devices cause distracted driving. Going cell-free while driving is one of the most important things you can do to avoid collisions and increase your safety.
Why is talking on the phone different than talking to a passenger? Watch this video by the National Safety Council to find out why.