Driving Distraction Accidents: Statistics

It is essential to know what the most common distractions behind the wheel are and avoid them. Otherwise, you are putting your safety and that of the people around you at risk. below you can find the most common distraction types while you are driving.

The reality is that the companions in a vehicle are the cause of 77% of the distractions that take place while driving. In this case, we are talking about a wide spectrum of possibilities, among which children and pets stand out.

Turning your head or looking in the rearview mirror results in a loss of attention on the road that can have fatal consequences. Unfortunately, three out of four drivers recognize that this is something they do when traveling in the company of young children or animals.

It is for this reason that the most advisable in these circumstances is to adequately prepare the displacement, anticipating any eventuality that may arise. In this way, you will not need to pay attention to them during the journey.

With the rise of smartphones, distractions behind the wheel have exploded over the years. Talking on the phone without using an approved handsfree is one of the biggest distractions that takes place while driving. However, nowadays, the use of mobile phones includes another large number of functionalities that generate a great loss of attention while driving.

Despite the fact that the vast majority of drivers surveyed affirm that talking on the mobile phone without the use of hands-free helps to distract them and greatly increases the risk when driving, 46% of them admit to being distracted by using these devices, checking messages, social media etc.

The DGT (Traffic Authority in Spain) has repeatedly reported that the use of a mobile phone causes the driver to lose the ability to maintain a constant speed, prevents him from maintaining the safe distance, as well as perceiving half of the traffic signals, makes him confused in your itinerary, and increases your reaction time by half a second to 2 seconds.

The result of all this is that the probabilities of having a traffic accident increase between 5 and 10 times.

Recent studies also show that using hands-free devices and carry out long phone conversations or participating in meetings from the car is just as dangerous as having your mobile phone in your hand. Please use your hands free mobile phone device only to carry out short conversations.

54% of drivers admit to using the devices present in their vehicle while driving, which includes the GPS navigator, the car's climate control, music or the rear-view mirrors.

In general, it is recommended to limit yourself to controlling the devices integrated in the vehicle, always by using the controls on the steering wheel or advanced voice command systems.

38% of drivers admit to being distracted in the presence of an accident vehicle. This results in reduced gear and considerable loss of focus on the road.

Accidents are not the only cause of distraction suffered by many drivers. Billboards, as well as certain objects present in the landscape, also contribute to reducing the attention paid to driving.

Overconfidence is one of the worst-managed causes for drivers, especially those who are more experienced or who take the same route repeatedly.

The habit tends to generate a false sense of security that causes your senses to be distracted and your mind to focus on thoughts other than driving. The most serious case of overconfidence occurs when driving with fatigue or sleep.

Unfortunately, there are still many drivers who consider themselves able to continue driving despite suffering from obvious signs of drowsiness. To avoid major accidents, the best advice is to stop and rest.

Although statistically they are more isolated cases, it should also be noted that drivers carry out many other activities behind the wheel that have nothing to do with the exercise of driving itself and represent an almost total loss of attention paid to the road.

Among these many activities stand out the search for objects in the glove compartment, the momentary reading of documents, the act of putting on makeup, lighting and smoking a cigarette and, of course, eating and drinking inside the vehicle. These are all activities that may seem harmless but are a serious distraction behind the wheel, the consequences of which can be huge.

Have a safe trip!