April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and officials with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation are reminding people that it’s crucial they avoid texting or using their smart phones and other electronic devices while driving on Wisconsin roads. Warm weather might mean more people will be traveling on the road across Wisconsin, an article by […]
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and officials with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation are reminding people that it’s crucial they avoid texting or using their smart phones and other electronic devices while driving on Wisconsin roads.
Warm weather might mean more people will be traveling on the road across Wisconsin, an article by WQOW explains.
Traffic crashes in Wisconsin are down compared to this time last year, according to preliminary data gathered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. The data shows that in March, 28 people died in traffic crashers in Wisconsin. That’s seven people fewer that compared to March 2016.
“Since the start of 2017, the DOT said a total of 98 people were killed in traffic-related crashes, which is 24 crashes fewer than the same period in 2016,” the article reads.
Despite the slight decrease in traffic-related fatalities, distracted driving is still a dangerous concern.
Across the United States, distracted driving claimed the lives of 3,477 in 2015, according to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis. NHTSA leads the national effort to save lives by preventing distracted driving.
“Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system—anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving,” the NHTSA website explains.
The NHTSA says one of the most dangerous and alarming distractions for drivers is texting. That’s because whether sending or receiving a text, it takes your eyes off the road for five seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.
“You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing,” the NHTSA website reads.
In 2015 alone, 3,477 people were killed, and 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in the United States.
During daylight hours, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones while driving. That creates enormous potential for deaths and injuries on U.S. roads. Teens were the largest age group reported as distracted at the time of fatal crashes.
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