We need to focus on driver distraction

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November 4, 2009

Anonymous The Union-Recorder Wed Nov 04, 2009, 08:00 AM EST

Technology can be a cherished blessing or used as a deadly instrument. It is fast becoming the latter when it is employed as a handy, but dangerous, device in our automobiles. Recent studies show that America and Georgia are quickly becoming a nation and state of “distracted drivers” due to our negligent use of a host of technological resources.

In fact an Associated Press poll released Monday indicates that the majority of us already agree. An overwhelming majority of Americans polled think texting while driving is such a bad idea it should be outlawed. A new poll finds that 90 percent of us support a ban on texting while driving and that a majority of Americans also support banning cell phoning while driving.

According to a report by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm Insurance, distracted driving is the number one cause of death among U.S. teenagers. Multitasking, texting and cell phoning are the typical culprits in fatal adolescent auto accidents. Some now refer to such practices as another form of DWI: “Driving While Intexticated.” Those who use cell phones in cars are 400 percent more likely to be involved in crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 80 percent of all collisions are due to driver distraction.

Many states have already recognized the distraction factor as a serious issue on the roadways. Six states and the District of Columbia have hand held cell phone bans for drivers, and 18 states and the District of Columbia now ban text messaging for all drivers as well, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

The distracted driving syndrome has become so epidemic that Ray LaHood, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary, sponsored a “Distracted Driving Summit” in September. It particularly focused on the dangers of text-messaging and other kinds of inattentiveness behind the wheel. The federal Transportation Department claims that one of every four motor vehicle crashes involves distracted drivers.

There are more than 1.5 million collisions per year, and more than 4,300 crashes per day. In fatal crashes, 10 percent are due to driver distraction, according to NHTSA studies. The distractions are everywhere and too numerous to enumerate — for example, eating, drinking (especially intoxicants), correcting our children in the back seat, hollering at other drivers, billboard-gazing, nail-filing, slapping our hands to radio or CD music and even reading while driving.

Solutions for distracted driving will require careful policy attention from transportation officers, elected officials, safety advocates, law enforcement representatives and academicians. Right now Georgia has only a cell phone ban for school bus drivers. In its next legislative session, our state lawmakers might want to explore the possible need for further restrictions on the way everyday drivers use their technological equipment in moving vehicles. Technology should be used to improve life, not to destroy it. It is neither good nor bad in itself. But it is up to us to use it well.

It is difficult at best to watch out for the other driver and focus on the road with distractions. It is time to focus on the road rather than the conversation.

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