Here are some scary facts from the website www.distraction.gov, which is the official U.S. government website for distracted driving:
Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting. When traveling at 55mph, that's enough time to cover the length of a football field blindfolded.
At any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving, a number that has held steady since 2010.
Engaging in visual-manual subtasks (such as reaching for a phone, dialing and texting) associated with the use of hand-held phones and other portable devices increased the risk of getting into a crash by three times.
And here's what you can do right now.
Go to www.distraction.gov and take the pledge to end distracted driving. When you're on the road, make a commitment to stay focused on the road. Turn your phone off and put it away.
Set an example for your kids. Maybe they're too young to drive now, but your behavior sets an example for them every day. Let them see you making safe decisions behind the wheel.
If you're riding with a driver who is distracted by an electronic device, ask them to help keep you and everyone else on the road safe by putting it away.
There are apps available that prevent texting while driving. Consider installing them on your phones and your kids' phones.
Please—when you're driving, stay focused on the road. When it comes to keeping yourself and your family safe, everything else can wait. To take the pledge to end distracted driving, visit http://www.distraction.gov.
