Passenger motor vehicles, motorcycles, scooters and mopeds make up the bulk (90 percent) of the unit types involved in fatal and serious injury distracted driving crashes. Above is a table showing the unit type involved in crashes. The term “F&SI” is Fatal and Serious Injury.

Driver inattention causes most crashes

From the Highway Safety Office
Winter weather is here and the busy holiday season is in full swing so it is more important than ever to pay close attention to driving safely. A growing number of studies show that driver inattention is the leading factor in most crashes and near-crashes.

Primary causes of driver inattention while operating a motor vehicle are distracting activities such as adjusting the radio or music player, talking to passengers, eating and drinking, talking on cell phones and sending text messages.

“Whenever you're driving a vehicle and your attention is not on the road, you're putting yourself, your passengers, other vehicles and pedestrians in danger, “ cautions Highway Safety Manager Brent Jennings.

Over the past three years (2008-2010), there have been 179 fatal crashes and 1,199 serious injury crashes in Idaho involving distracted drivers that have resulted in 192 people killed and 1,534 people seriously injured, according to Highway Safety Office statistics.

This represents 30 percent of all fatal crashes (and 29 percent of fatalities) and more than a third (36 percent) of all serious injury crashes (and 36 percent of serious injuries).

Most (63 percent) of the vehicles involved in fatal and serious injury distracted driving crashes were going straight, while 15 percent were turning left and 11 percent were negotiating a curve.

Idaho drivers represent 84 percent of the drivers involved in distracted driver crashes, while drivers from out of state represent 14 percent of the drivers.

Jennings offers advice for the easily distracted and an important reminder for all:

  • Keep 100 percent of your attention on driving;
  • Practice defensive driving by being aware of others around you and expect the unexpected;
  • Don’t use a cell phone or any other electronic device while driving -- pull over to talk or text;
  • Build time into your trip schedule to stop for food, rest breaks and making necessary phone calls;
  • Adjust your seat, mirrors and climate controls before putting the car in gear;
  • Don’t attempt to retrieve items out of reach;
  • Secure cargo that may move around;
  • Have items needed within easy reach;
  • Pull over to eat. It takes only a few minutes;
  • Give yourself time to react by keeping a two-second cushion between you and the car in front of you;
  • Don’t speed − it gives you less time to react; and
  • Always wear your seat belt and drive sober.

“The goal of the Idaho Office of Highway Safety is simple: To eliminate death and serious injury by demonstrating the issues and effects distractions have on our driving,” Jennings said. “Working together and talking about the value of paying attention to our driving with family and friends will make a difference as we all continue our quest together Toward Zero Deaths."

Published 12-16-2011