The Rising Issue of Distracted Driving in the Digital Age

If you figure that distracted driving is something new, think again, because it’s been around for decades. In the 1930s, car radios became a major distraction for motorists. Then, there is drinking and eating while driving, along with smoking, reading paper road maps (before GPS), holding conversations with passengers and shaving or putting makeup on. Today, however, in the digital age, distracted driving is off the charts.

The Massive Mobile Revolution

You can blame much of today’s distracted driving on cellphones, and the owners of these popular devices are found in all age groups who get behind the wheel. According to Pew Research, a whopping 98% of Americans now own a cellphone (of some kind). Also, about 9 out of 10 (91%) own a smartphone; this statistic is up from just 35% in the Center’s first survey of smartphone ownership conducted in 2011.

Calling or texting while driving is a huge problem. According to the numbers, 33 states and Washington, DC., ban handheld cellphone use while operating a motor vehicle. However, in all 50 states except Montana, text messaging while driving is illegal. Many states impose fines on drivers who text, including Oklahoma, where you can be fined $100 for an infraction.

Texting, the Most Dangerous

A lot of drivers still do it and get away with it, but texting while behind the wheel is the most dangerous form of distraction, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These three factors tell the story: 

1. Visual distraction

2. Manual distraction

3. Mental distraction

Texting while driving can be deadly, and it’s considered six times more dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol. That may sound incredulous to many people, but when you’re sending or receiving a text message, your eyes are taken off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. The NHTSA says that is the same as driving the length of an entire football field (120 yards) at 55 mph while wearing a blindfold. In fact, texting drivers are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash than non-texting drivers.

All you need to do is see the scary statistics to think twice about texting or calling while driving. In 2023, 3,275 people were killed and nearly 325,000 people were injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers.

In-Car Tech, the New Distraction

Distracted driving via smartphone is a major problem, but new research shows that today’s technological advancements are also adding to this serious issue. Just look inside newer vehicles, and you will find fancy amenities, such as touchscreens, voice assistants, built-in GPS systems and entertainment interfaces. These digital favorites can all pose safety risks for drivers.

For example, a touchscreen can rob a driver’s visual attention because that high-tech device alone requires 5.5 seconds or more to change music or adjust the temperature.

Also, when the mind is engaged with a task other than driving, this is called cognitive distraction. In-car voice assistants and GPS systems can result in slower reaction times, as complex vehicle menus divide the driver’s attention.

Multitasking While Driving, a Dangerous Combination

There is no doubt that the sophistication of the Digital Age gives individuals everywhere instant access to information across several devices, including desktops, mobile phones, tablets and in-vehicle dashboards, appliances and smart homes.

Distracted driving is at an all-time high. As intelligent and technologically savvy as most people are, multitasking while driving is always dangerous. An accident can happen in a split second. Remember: “Put the phone away or pay,” and “Keep both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”

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