Although government agencies and some safety “experts” like to claim that speed in itself is the biggest danger on the roads, it’s actually driver distraction. If someone isn’t concentrating at junctions, or looking in detail at the traffic ahead at 30mph rather than 60mph they will probably still have an accident, albeit with lesser consequences. Unless a pedestrian or cyclist is involved of course.
This is why insurers in the Motor sector are looking at behaviour trends overall, not just speeding points on licences. USB telematics and phone apps can gather data on braking, cornering, lane changes and much more. In-vehicle cameras can also watch drivers get tired, lose concentration, or engage in long conversations with passengers, or via hands free calls. These are distractions, even if they are legal. You are not touching the phone, but you are not giving 100% attention to the task at hand whilst on long calls, especially if you are trying to instruct others where to find something, work related data, negotiate with children etc.
Maybe in-car phone systems should just be blocked altogether? Then again, commercial drivers need to be in contact with fleet managers. There is no simple solution. Some of us are better at multi-tasking than others, some are better drivers in terms of hazard perception.
Despite widespread warnings about the dangers of impaired or distracted driving, many Americans say they have engaged in risky behaviors behind the wheel. Here are some survey results FYI;
We commissioned online marketing firm SliceMR and surveyed 1,851 adults aged 18 and older nationwide about their driving habits. Of those, 997 people – or 53.7% – admitted to using their cell phones while behind the wheel or engaging in other risky behaviors such as speeding or driving while intoxicated.
- Cell phones are the biggest distraction for drivers who acknowledge risky behavior.
- Sixty percent of those who answered affirmatively said they had talked on the phone while driving, while more than 1 in 4 said they had texted.
- More than half of those who admit to risky behavior say they’ve exceeded the speed limit while driving.
- A minority of people admitting to being distracted – less than 10% – said they had used marijuana or consumed alcohol before hitting the road.
“A distraction is anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel and your mind off of driving,” says Adam Snider, director of communications for the Governors Highway Safety Association.
Risky driving behaviors also impact car insurance rates. A single ticket for speeding, driving under the influence (DUI) or being involved in an at-fault accident can raise your premium by hundreds of dollars.
Multiple violations can lead to being labeled a high-risk driver and being dropped by your insurer.
Distraction calls when phones go mobile
Mobile phones are so commonplace that many people don’t think about when or where they’re using them – or that talking while driving can be a distraction. Of those who admitted to risky driving behavior, 60.7% say they spoke on the phone while driving.
“We need to address this from the ground up in terms of culture change and normalize the fact that as busy as we are, to put that phone down while you’re driving,” Snyder says.
But you don’t have to be talking on the phone to be distracted by it. Just using it can take your focus away from the road.
Some 41.3% of those admitting to risky behavior said they’ve used an app while driving. And that also can be dangerous, says Joe Young, media relations director for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
“You can be staring at the road but be completely distracted,” he says. “Distracted driving doesn’t always clearly present itself, and in a lot of instances when there’s a crash, the driver won’t admit to it.”
Penalties for distracted driving vary by state. While jail time is unlikely, drivers typically face fines, civil penalties and points on their license. Repeated offenses often result in harsher consequences.
In California, for example, driving while using a cell phone is unlawful unless it’s done so hands-free for listening and talking. The first offense carries a fine of $20, with fines increasing for repeat offenses. Connecticut’s fine for using a mobile phone is steeper at $200 for a first offense and increasing for repeated violations.
Texting is distracting, too
Texting while driving – as 28.7% of drivers admitting to distracted driving said they have done – is also perilous because it can blind you for several crucial seconds. A mere 5 seconds spent texting while driving at 55 mph equates to covering the length of a football field blindfolded, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Texting and driving is illegal in most states, and the penalties can be severe. In Alaska, reading or typing a text message or email on a mobile device in a moving vehicle carries up to a $500 fine. But texting becomes a felony if distracted driving causes injuries or death.
Aside from fines and potential legal consequences, a texting ticket can significantly increase your insurance costs. On average, drivers can expect a 24% increase in their premiums, but this can vary depending on what insurance company you have.
Watching videos while driving is also distracting
Watching videos is even more distracting cognitively and visually, but 10.9% of people admitting to using their cell phones said they’ve done it — and it’s not even against the law in some states.
In Kentucky, for example, it’s legal for drivers to watch videos because state law only bans texting while driving and provides exemptions for using GPS functions and entering phone numbers. It’s also OK for drivers to browse social media.
Minnesota drivers are prohibited from accessing video or audio content on a mobile device. A violation can result in a fine of up to $300. Utah and Washington also prohibit watching videos on mobile devices while driving.
“There’s no excuse for watching videos,” Snider says. “It’s horribly selfish and unsafe, and there’s absolutely no reason anyone should be doing that.”
Intoxication – the most dangerous form of distraction
Impaired driving, whether because of alcohol or marijuana, is another threat to public safety. About 32% of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers, according to the NHTSA, killing 13,524 people in 2022, the most recent year for which data is available.
Nearly 1 in 10 drivers admitting to risky behavior (8.7%) said they have driven after having consumed alcohol. Another 3.6% said they have driven while drinking alcohol. Alcohol impairs judgment, reaction time and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents and fatalities.
The use of drugs such as marijuana is also a safety risk on the roads. According to the NHTSA, 56% of drivers involved in serious injury and fatal crashes tested positive for at least one drug.
Despite the associated risk, 8.9% of respondents said they have driven after consuming marijuana. Another 5.1% said they’ve smoked pot while behind the wheel.
“It’s an impairing substance,” Snider says. “It slows your reaction time and dulls your reasoning abilities.”
Penalties for impaired driving vary by state and include fines, license suspension and jail time. The fine for driving under the influence in Massachusetts is $500 to $5,000 and up to 2 ½ years in jail. Offenders also have their licenses suspended for a year.
Michigan, however, is more lenient, imposing fines of $100 to $500 and up to 93 days in jail. Violators also have tier licenses suspended for 180 days.
And as with speeding, if you drive while impaired and get caught, your insurance rates will increase.
The average car insurance premium for a driver with a single DUI on their record is $3,837 per year, nearly $2,000 more than for a driver with a good record. If you get a second DUI, you will pay even more: $5,780 annually on average.
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