The Costs of Distracted Driving

Eyes on the Road Saves Lives

Distracted driving is one of the most pressing issues on the road today, contributing to thousands of injuries and accidents every year. But even with stricter driving laws and increased awareness, many drivers still allow phones, food or in-vehicle devices to divert their focus.

The consequences are far more severe than most people realize. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that, 13% of all motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. involved a distracted driver and a total of 3,142 driving fatalities occurred due to a distracted driver, and more than 3,100 people lose their lives each year because someone looked away for just a moment. At 55 mph, reading a quick text means driving the length of a football field without seeing the road — a level of risk no driver can safely manage.

Distracted driving affects everyone, from young drivers to commercial motorists, and its impact extends well beyond the immediate accident. Medical costs, lost productivity and employer liability make every distraction a costly one. The good news: most distracted driving behavior can be prevented. Let’s take a closer look at what defines distracted driving, how commercial drivers are impacted and ways to prevent or reduce distracted driving.

What Is Considered Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is defined as any type of activity that diverts your attention from the road, where your eyes should be while handling a motor vehicle. Some of the most common forms of distracted driving include:

• Texting or talking on your cell phone
• Talking to the person in the passenger’s seat, or anyone in the vehicle
• Playing with the stereo or entertainment system
• Fiddling with the navigation system
• Eating and/or drinking

Anything that takes your eyes off of the road while driving is considered a distraction and can be very harmful to not only yourself but also the passengers in your own vehicle and the other drivers and passengers joining you on the road.

The 3 Types of Driving Distractions

The CDC lists 3 different types of driving distractions:

1. Visual: Taking your eyes off the road. This would most likely involve texting or using your cell phone in another way. Even turning to look at the person in the back seat for a second is considered a visual distraction. Numerous studies document the risks inherent to visual distracted driving. One of the better-known examples comes from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), which discovered drivers simply dialing numbers on a cell phone nearly tripled the risk of an accident or close call. 
2. Manual: Taking your hands off the wheel. Doing something like having lunch on the go means relying on one hand to take care of the driving while the other one helps to satisfy your hunger.
3. Cognitive: Taking your mind off driving. Sometimes, you don’t need a cell phone in your hand to be considered a distracted driver. Cognitive distracted driving is the hardest type to observe and measure, but that doesn’t make it any less impactful. Worrying about running late to an appointment or making it home after work on time are two examples of thoughts that could cause cognitive distracted driving.

While visual distractions may be the most common kind, manual and cognitive distractions are critical to consider and discuss when determining ways to prevent distracted driving.

The Impact of Distracted Driving

The statistics are sobering. In 2023, distracted driving claimed 3,275 lives. That’s about nine lives every single day – lost because someone decided that a message, a meal, or a momentary lapse in concentration was more important than safety.

Did you know that accident risk is greater for company drivers?

Distracted driving is dangerous for anyone, but it’s an issue that’s become more prevalent in commercial drivers over the years. In fact, according to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of work-related deaths across the country.

In terms of non-fatal injury crashes at work, those that involve a distraction cost the employer about $100,310 on average.

The previously mentioned VTTI study found commercial drivers dialing a phone number were nearly 6 times more likely to be involved in an accident than those who paid attention to the road. Text messaging made the risk of an accident over 23 times more likely.

Of course, even if the worst-case scenario doesn’t happen, texting while driving is strictly off-limits for commercial drivers in all 50 states and multiple violations may result in a motorist losing their license. The takeaway: No text message is worth the life of an employee or bystander, or the livelihood of your business. All employers are encouraged to have a distracted driving policy.

How to prevent or reduce distracted driving

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month so now is a great time to take this serious issue into your own hands and do your part to prevent fatal accidents from occurring in the future. If you need to send a text, pull over or allow one of your passengers to send the message for you. Otherwise, keep your eyes on the road and off of your cell phone.

8 Ways to Prevent and Reduce Distracted Driving

Below are eight practical tips to help avoid distractions while driving:

1. Prepare Beforehand: Make all vehicle adjustments before you start your trip. Set your GPS, mirrors, seat, and climate controls ahead of time.
2. Stow Your Phone: Keep your mobile phone out of reach to resist the temptation. If you must use it, pull over safely first.
3. Limit Passenger Interactions: Engage with passengers minimally. If you’re driving with friends, remind them to help you stay focused on the road.
4. Control Your Environment: Pre-set your radio stations and playlists. Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking while driving to keep your hands free and your mind alert.
5. Secure Children and Pets: Make sure children and pets are properly secured before driving. If they need attention, pull over to a safe location first.
6. Rest If Drowsy: Driving tired can be as dangerous as driving distracted. If you feel sleepy, take a break from driving.
7. Keep the Car Tidy: Store loose items that could roll around and distract you. Having a clean and organized car can minimize the urge to reach for items.
8. Focus on Driving: Remind yourself that driving deserves your full attention. Practice active scanning of the road and use your mirrors regularly.

By incorporating these tips into your daily driving habits, you can significantly reduce the risk of distractions and contribute to safer roads for everyone. Remember, when it comes to driving, safety should always be your top priority.

Distracted Driving FAQs

What Is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is any behavior that takes a driver’s attention away from the road, increasing the crash risk for everyone around them. This includes visual distractions (like looking at a device), manual distractions (like eating or reaching for objects) and cognitive distractions (like daydreaming or stress). Whether it’s a quick text or adjusting an in-vehicle system, driver distraction is one of the leading contributors to motor vehicle crashes in the U.S.

What Are the 3 Main Types of Distractions?

The three types of distractions that impact driving safety are:

1. Visual distraction: Taking your eyes off the road to look at a phone, GPS or other device.
2. Manual distraction: Taking your hands off the wheel to eat, reach or adjust controls.
3. Cognitive distraction: Taking your mind off driving due to stress, conversations or daydreaming.

All three dramatically increase the likelihood of a motor vehicle crash, especially at high speeds.

What Are Common Driver Distractions?

Common driver distractions include texting, scrolling on a device, talking with passengers, eating or drinking, adjusting music, using navigation apps and reacting to outside events. These distractions often violate distracted driving laws, depending on the state. Even actions that seem harmless — such as checking a notification or picking up a dropped item — can contribute to distracted driving behavior and lead to serious traffic safety consequences.

Combating Distracted Driving

The fight against distracted driving starts with each of us. It’s about making conscious choices to stay focused and encouraging others to do the same. Employers can set policies, parents can lead by example, and friends can speak up when they see a driver reaching for their phone.

As we continue to navigate the busy roads of life, let’s pledge to keep distractions at bay. Whether you’re a commercial driver or a daily commuter, your decisions can save lives. Let’s drive the message home: when it comes to driving, distractions can wait.

FFVA Mutual offers a 4-hour defensive driving course at no cost to policyholders. To schedule training at your workplace, click here to view more information and complete an online safety training request form.

Related Distracted Driving Resources from FFVA Mutual:

• Short Talk
• Safety Tips
• Cell Phone Texting Policy
• Defensive Driving Webcast
• Motor Vehicle Safety Trending Topic
• Motor Vehicle Accident Safety Stand Down
• Does Florida Do Enough to Prevent Distracted Driving