Distracted Driving Provided by: Picture from: www.driversed.com Provided by: Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign Causes of Traffic Crashes? National Safety Council Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Distracted Driving Causes Error It is any activity that diverts attention away from driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Statewide Inattention In 2013, driver inattention was a contributing factor in 18,635 Texas crashes. These crashes resulted in 460 fatalities and 2,085 serious injuries. Texas Department of Transportation Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Nueces County 2013 Driver inattention contributed to 970 Nueces County crashes. 5 fatalities and 460 serious injuries. Texas Department of Transportation Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Is This a New Issue? 1913 1930 1954 1983 1996 2000 Windshield Wipers Radios Drive-Up Windows Mobile Phones Telematics Devices Email, Internet, etc. Different Safety Issues throughout the Last Century AAA Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign Types of Distractions Cell phone use (talking, listening, dialing, texting). Generally distracted or “lost in thought” Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign Types of Distractions Other occupants (talking with or looking at other people) Outside person, object or event (such as rubbernecking) Pictures from: www.propertycasualty360.com Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign Types of Distractions Adjusting audio or climate controls Using or reaching for a device brought into vehicle, such as navigational devices or headphones Picture from: www.propertycasualty360.com Picture from: www.txdot.gov Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign Types of Distractions Personal Grooming Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign Types of Distractions Smoking (includes smoking, lighting up, putting ashes in tray.) Moving objects (pets or insects) Pictures from: www.propertycasualty360.com Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign Types of Distractions Eating or drinking Using other devices or controls integral to the vehicle Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Distractions Affect the Driver: Visually, Mechanically, & Cognitively Slower reaction time– comparable to a driver with a .08 BAC level Failure to recognize Potential Hazards Miss traffic signals, signs, exit ramps, etc. May not react at all Source: National Safety Council & Univ. of Utah Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Distractions Affect the Driver: Visually, Mechanically, & Cognitively Reduces the driver’s “Margin of Safety” Both hands should be on the wheel Picture from: http://images.drive.com Focus shifted “Look but don’t see” Picture from: http://media.scnow.com Source: National Safety Council & Univ. of Utah Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Why All the Attention Now? Sharp increase in cell phone use New technologies People spending more time in their cars and less in the office/home Hot new media topics Picture from: www.cjaexpertatl com Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Technology Trend In 2013, 2.6 trillion minutes were used. 1.9 trillion text messages were sent. 3.2 trillion MB of data usage. 96 billion MMS messages are sent. Source: CTIA – The Wireless Association Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Cell Phones and Driving Drivers using hand held or hands free cell phones are 4x more likely to crash, 23x if texting. 81% of drivers admit to talking on a cell phone while driving. At any given daylight moment 660,000 Americans are driving and using an electronic device. Source: National Safety Council, NHTSA, & Nationwide Insurance PO poll. Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign National Safety Council Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Cell phones don't kill people. Drivers using cell phones kill people! Picture from: Notaniche.com Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Being an Attentive Driver Keep your eyes on the road Make any adjustments to radio, seat, mirrors, etc. before driving Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Being an Attentive Driver Do not talk or text while driving PAY ATTENTION! Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Being an Attentive Driver Make sure occupants are buckled up Reduce distractions from children playing or fighting in the car Keep inside car movement to a minimum Picture from: http://www.go-explore-trans.org/ Picture from: http://images.drive.com Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

Observing Distracted Drivers Cars swerving back and forth several times Running red lights or stop signs Seeing the person on the cell phone Rapid change in speed or rapid decrease in speed Frequently flashing brake lights Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign

The best thing to do around a distracted driver is to just stay away. Nueces County Safe Communities Safe Driving Public Education Campaign