Distracted driving is one of the most common ways that automobile drivers cause accidents. This is because you should be alert and attentive while driving, keeping your eyes glued to the road. When you don’t pay attention to your surroundings, a road obstacle can pop up before you realize and react to them.
These texting and driving statistics in 2022 demonstrate that texting and driving have become increasingly dangerous over the years. We must all take steps to ensure our safety on the roads by avoiding texting while driving and encouraging others to do the same.
Texting and Driving Statistics 2022 You Should Know
According to Chandler car accident attorneys Wattel and York, texting and driving has become one of the most dangerous behaviors on the roads today. Studies have shown that texting while driving can increase a driver’s risk of an accident by more than 23 times. The statistics below outline just how prevalent this behavior is in 2022:
* More than 25% of drivers admit to sending text messages while driving.
* Approximately 40% of teenagers admit to texting and driving in the past year.
* Distracted driving is linked to more than 1 in 5 car accidents.
* In the US alone, more than 3,100 people are killed each year because of distracted driving.
* On average, a person’s eyes are off the road for an average of 5 seconds when they are texting and driving.
* 4.6 to 5 seconds is long enough to travel the length of a football field at 55 mph.
* Texting while driving is now illegal in 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
* Research shows that hands-free devices still pose danger to drivers because of cognitive distractions. Even though their hands are free to drive, their attention is still taken away from the road.
What Are Ways You Can Use Hands-Free Devices to Text and Drive Safely?
Here are methods that can help reduce your chance of getting into a horrible car accident:
1. Use voice commands to read and dictate messages. Many phones have built-in features that allow you to use your voice to both read and dictate messages while driving.
2. Utilize apps such as DriveSafe Mode or TextStop. These apps are designed specifically for safe texting while driving. They limit the amount of time you spend on your phone and restrict certain functions such as calling, texting, or browsing the web.
3. Pull over if necessary. If you need to read or send a long message, it is better to pull over in a safe location rather than continue to text while driving.
4. Set up auto-response messages. Some apps allow you to set up automatic responses that will be sent if an incoming message is received while the driver is in motion. This can help avoid distractions and let people know that you are driving and unable to respond at the moment.
By following these steps, you can reduce your risk of getting into an accident due to texting and driving. You must always pay attention on the roads and avoid any distractions while driving. The consequences of texting and driving can be devastating, so try to remember these texting and driving statistics. Take additional steps to drive safely. Spread awareness of the dangers of texting and driving by sharing this information with your loved ones.
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