3 Ways to Combat Distracted Driving:
The Road to Safety
Injury and death on US roadways have reached unprecedented continue to reach epidemic levels, despite increased driver-centric safety features such as lane sensors, braking assistance, and airbags,
The numbers speak for themselves. Here are some eye-opening statistics from the NSC, to help us tell the story:
- Vehicular-related deaths are up 8% even as mileage drops 13%.
- The total # of motor-vehicle deaths in the US for 2020, is 42,060. That’s up 8% from 39,107 in 2019.
- Estimated vehicle miles traveled for 2020 indicate over a 13% decrease compared to 2019, from 3,260 billion to 2,830 billion.
- The estimated number of nonfatal medically consulted injuries resulting from all US crashes in 2020 was approximately 4,795,000. A medically consulted injury is an injury serious enough that a medical professional was consulted.
- The estimated cost of motor vehicle deaths, injuries, and property damage in 2020 was $474.4 Billion.
And now, the early findings for 2021 have been released from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have been released, which reveal a continuing slide for the worse.
Sadly, traffic deaths in 2021 increased to 42,915 from 38,824 in 2020. A 10.5% increase and a 14-year high.
Distracted Driving
Many traffic-related deaths and injuries are preventable by employing one simple solution; paying attention.
According to the CDC, distracted driving affects 52% of our drivetime, including
- Interacting with an adult or teen passenger (15%)
- Using a cell phone (6%)
- Operating vehicle systems such as climate control and radio (4%)
In 2020, 3,142 people died because of a distraction while driving.
Driver Safety at Work and Home
Professional environments are not immune from the effects of these trends.
The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) indicates that transportation incidents increased two percent in 2019 to 2,122 cases, the most cases since this series began in 2011. Early data indicates the upward trend has continued in 2020.
The typical loss associated with a non-fatal workplace vehicle incident is over $75,000.
Three Ways to Improve Driver Safety
There are many behavioral habits and integrated tools that can take us down the road towards a safe, injury-free driving experience, both at work and for pleasure.
Let’s focus on three practical ways for businesses and individuals to address distracted driving:
- Existing and emerging technology
- Modifying and reinforcing personal habits
- Company policies and practices
1. Existing and Emerging Technology
- Do-Not-Disturb (DND) features: Controlling the use of electronic devices can help eliminate distractions and keep an open line of communication. Most phones today can sense when you are driving or recognize an active Bluetooth in your vehicle to auto-activate this function. The driver can set up this option to send a text message back to the incoming sender, such as, “I am currently driving and will respond once I reach my destination”. People trying to reach the driver will immediately go to voicemail and that voicemail alert is silenced until you stop driving. But don’t worry, there is typically a built-in fail-safe if the incoming call is an “emergency”.
- Put the phone on vibrate and hide it. A driver may simply put their phone on vibrate mode and place it in their trunk, backpack, bag, seat pocket, or glove box to avoid incoming calls while driving. Once the driver has reached their destination, they can now safely check their device.
- Bluetooth connectivity: If you must maintain an open line of communication, hands-free driving might be your next best solution. Most late-model vehicles have single-button controls to answers calls while on the road. For this technology to be utilized most safely the driver must pair his device with their vehicle, before driving. Trying to complete this pairing while driving, is recipe for disaster.
- Please note: While hands-free driving is safer than actually holding your phone while driving, having a mobile phone conversation itself is classified as distracted driving.
2. Personal Safety Habits
The Multi-Task Myth
From a cognitive brain point of view, driving is a very complicated activity. Numerous critical decisions are made every second. Despite the argument that we believe we can all multi-task better than most, the science of human attention reminds us that our brains have a limited capacity to perform two operations simultaneously.
We simply cannot perform two operations at the same time at 100% capacity. One operation is always compromised, even for a split second, which is all it takes to end up in the hospital, or worse.
Whatever else we are attempting to accomplish while driving is not worth destroying a life. It is safer to focus solely on driving, and nothing else
“Hands-Free” is good enough for me
As mentioned above, “hands-free” driving is still distracted driving. The conversation alone will decrease your decision-making skills from the road in front of you.
Even state laws, which require “hands-free” operation of mobile phones, have not addressed the core issue of “distraction”. Anytime we are doing something else, like singing with our child or scanning for the best gas prices, for example – we are dividing our attention. While these things are not illegal, they are things that we can avoid.
The classic AT&T distracted driving campaign, “It Can Wait,” is as relevant today as it was when launched in 2010. No call or text is more important than human life.
Avoid Visual Distractions
And of course, let’s not forget the basics: Keep your eyes on the road! There are far too many shiny objects on the road, from flashy billboards to a cool 1965 Cherry-Red Mustang rolling by. We’re not saying don’t ever take a peek, but be mindful that taking your eyes off of the road, even for a second, can have dire consequences.
Hot Tip!
Even if you are not driving, you can support the well-being of your friends and co-workers: If you know they are driving, don’t text or call them.
3. Company Policies and Practices
Combating distracted driving is a complex and multi-faceted undertaking. What is needed is a systematic approach that focuses on the specific needs of your operation, and that incentivizes good behavior.
For instance:
- Develop a Fleet Driver Safety Program
- Mandate driver training courses, including “Distracted Driving” as a core course.
- Include fleet driver policies on banning cell phone use while driving, require the use of “hands-free” Bluetooth devices or install and enforce the use of DND phone features.
- Prizes and recognition for hitting milestones.
Moreover, meetings, events, food, and games can make these communications team-building opportunities, as everyone focuses on tasking responsibility for the well-being of their teammates.
Creating a Culture of Safety
A successful safety program is built on a shared mindset of top leadership and the operational managers who will implement the program. Get everyone involved early, and give them lots of opportunities to provide input.
Together, these repeated messaging platforms will communicate responsibility and accountability to all team members.
Put the Brakes on Distracted Driving
Final Thoughts
As local and national health orders are being recalled, we want everyone to safely enjoy hitting the open road and/or providing much-needed services to customers nationwide.
It is well within our ability – scratch that – our responsibility, as citizens to provide everyone with safer roads. We can all utilize existing and emerging technologies as tools to help avert dangerous situations on the road but, the ultimate solution is to not let our devices distract us in the first place.
So please, remember if feasible, leave your phone in your bag or trunk on silent. That one-second distraction could cost lives and no text, email, or alert is worth a life.
We can and must, change.
About SilMan
SilMan Industries (previously SilMan Construction) is based in San Leandro, California.
Founded in 2008, the firm operates nationwide in three divisions – Construction, Material Handling and Site Services – and partners with “best in class” companies in the Industrial, Manufacturing, Distribution, and Public Works sectors.
For more information, please visit www.silmanindustries.com/about.
Frequently Asked Questions for Ways to Combat Distracted Driving
What are the most effective ways to prevent distracted driving?
Effective tactics for preventing distracted driving include implementing a strict "hands-free" or "no-phone" company policy, utilizing fleet telematics technology to monitor driver behavior, and providing regular safety training that emphasizes the cognitive load of multitasking while driving.
What are the main types of distracted driving?
Distracted driving includes visual (taking eyes off the road, like texting), manual (removing hands from the wheel, such as eating), and cognitive (mind wandering, like talking). Texting combines all three and is the most dangerous, causing thousands of crashes yearly. Always focus fully on driving to stay safe.
How can a company build a culture of safety regarding driving?
Building a safety culture starts with leadership "walking the talk." Companies should encourage employees to ignore calls or texts while driving, provide safe areas for pulling over, and integrate driving safety into daily "Toolbox Talks" or safety briefings.
Does hands-free technology eliminate distracted driving?
No. Hands-free technology reduces physical distraction, but it does not eliminate cognitive distraction. A driver's brain remains focused on the conversation rather than the road. Safe driving requires minimizing all non-essential communication while the vehicle is in motion.
