Driver inattention causes most crashes From the Highway Safety Office 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:
“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 |