The Dangers of Distracted Driving

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Distracted drivers put not only themselves and anyone else in their vehicle at risk, but also other people on the road. Taking your eyes of the road for just two seconds doubles your risk of a crash. Today's blog from the best car dealership at the Lake of the Ozarks dives into just how dangerous distracted driving can be. Take a look at the statistics and take steps today to reduce your distractions while driving.

Distracted Driving Statistics 

Distracted driving is the leading cause of fatal vehicle crashes. Below are some alarming statistics from revolving around distracted driving:
  • In 2016, 3,450 people were killed in vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. 
  • In 2015, there were 3,477 people killed and an estimated additional 391,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.
  • 10% of fatal crashes, 15% of injury crashes, and 14% of all police-reported motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2015 were reported as distraction-affected crashes.
  • 9% of all drivers ages 15 to 19 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crashes. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted at the time of the fatal crashes.
  • The fatal crash rate for teens is 3 times greater than for drivers age 20 and over. 
  • Driver distraction is responsible for more than 58% of teen crashes.
  • In 2015, there were 551 non-occupants (pedestrians, bicyclists, and others) killed in distraction-affected crashes.
  • During daylight hours, approximately 481,000 drivers are using cell phones while driving. 
  • It is estimated that cell phone use alone accounted for 27%  of 2015 car crashes. 
  • People are as impaired when they drive and talk on a cell phone as they are when they drive intoxicated at the legal blood-alcohol limit of 0.08%.
  • Cell phone users are 5.36 times more likely to get into an accident than non-distracted drivers.
  • Text messaging increases the risk of crash or near-crash by 23 times.
  • Sending or reading a text message takes your eyes off the road for about 5 seconds, long enough to cover a football field while driving at 55 mph. 

Common Driving Distractions to Avoid 

A distraction is anything that takes your mind and attention away from driving. Among the most common distractions for drivers are:
  • Texting or talking on the phone 
  • Eating or drinking 
  • Changing music 
  • Personal grooming 
  • Reading maps or newspapers 
  • Reaching for fallen objects 
  • Attending to other passengers or pets 
  • Reading roadside billboards
  • Checking yourself in the mirror 
  • Gawking at crash scenes 
  • Talking with passengers
  • Daydreaming

Steps You Can Take to Minimize Distractions  


What can you do to be less distracted on the road? These steps are a great start:
  • Stay focused on the road. Driving is not the time for multi-tasking. 
  • If you know you will be tempted to look or use your phone, lock it in the trunk or turn it off. 
  • If you have a passenger in the car with you, hand over your phone do they can do the texting or talking for you. 
  • Ask passengers to obey your rules while in the car, such as buckling up and not distracting you. 
  • Set your music/radio before you take your vehicle out of park. 
  • Never use headphones while driving. It's both dangerous and illegal. 
  • If you don't feel well or emotionally able to drive, don't. Ask someone to give you a ride instead. 

Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMC is here to help you stay safe on the road! Not only do we want you to drive safe, but we want to make sure your vehicle is safe to operate. Bring your vehicle in to our Lake of the Ozarks vehicle service department for an inspection. We're here for all your vehicle service needs from routine maintenance to larger repairs.

Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMC - That's The Way We Do It At Hulett!

513 N. Business Route 5
Camdenton, MO  65020

Sales: 573.317.4191
Service:  573.317.4195

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Location: Camdenton, MO 65020, USA

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