The Dangers Of Distracted Driving & How To Avoid Them

The statistics from the NHTSA are sobering when it comes to the number of accidents and fatalities caused by distracted driving. However, the sad fact of the matter is that nearly all of these accidents could have been avoided, or their impact lessened, if drivers were paying attention.

As one of the Bay Area’s most trusted roadside assistance and towing companies, we assist drivers and attend the scenes of avoidable car accidents daily. It’s our mission to spread the word about the dangers of distracted driving and how to avoid them.

Startling Statistics About Distracted Driving

Here are some of the startling and devastating statistics about distracted driving.

• 3,522 people were killed as a result of a distracted driver in 2021.
• Distracted driving caused 424,000 injuries in 2019.
• Age matters - drivers 15 - 21 are more likely to be involved in distracted driving incidents than drivers 21 years or older.

Common Distractions While Driving

According to DMVcheatsheets.com, texting while driving is one of the leading causes of distracted driving. Equally risky is checking social media or emailing.

Other common reasons drivers are distracted while driving include:

• Talking on the phone 
• Using other electronic devices
• Adjusting vehicle controls or components
• Eating
• Interacting with music devices or Bluetooth features
• Moving objects in the car (like a bug that flies in or trash that flutters around when the windows are down
• Eating or drinking
• Conversations with other passengers
• Interacting with babies, young children, or pets
• Looking at events on the roadside (“rubbernecking”), such as looking at another accident, someone who is pulled over, trying to read signs, etc.

Teens & Young Drivers Are At Significant Risk Of Distracted Driving

As we mentioned above, most accidents related to distracted driving are caused by teens and young adults between the ages of 15 and 21. If you are a young driver's parent or guardian, reviewing the risks can create safe driving agreements - with clear, unavoidable consequences.

As a parent, your job is to model healthy driving behavior (“practice what you preach). In order to keep your teens safe while driving:

• Keep the lines of communication open around driving and teen driver-related statistics.
• Consider installing a dash cam to monitor teen behaviors (this can be part of the boundaries/agreement around “show me you can drive safely for one year, and I’ll remove the dash cam…”).
• Use apps like Life 360 and LifeSaver to monitor teen driving speeds, phone use while in the car, etc. 
• Sit in the passenger seat the first few times your child drives in inclement weather situations.
• Encourage your teen/young adult children and their friends to speak up to one another when friends or other drivers are texting, using social media, or participating in risky behaviors while driving.
• Create a document outlining the Rule for Driving, have teen(s) sign it, and stick to the stated consequences/outcomes for violating the rules.

Driving is a privilege, not a right. Kids need to understand that cars without attentive drivers are deadly weapons.

Tips To Avoid Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted driving is defined as, “...anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.” In order to avoid getting in an accident caused by distraction:

• Do not text, chat, email, or use social media while driving.
• Keep your hands on the wheel, in the 2:00 and 10:00, or 8-and-4:00, positions like you learned in driver’s ed.
• Pull the car over if you need to text, make a phone call that can’t be made hands-free, or if you’re in a heated or serious conversation.
• Only drive if you are well rested.
• Keep calm no matter what, and never respond reactively when threatened or angry at another driver on the road (or a passenger in your car!).
• Make defensive driving the rule rather than the exception.
• Limit the number of passengers in your car.
• Purchase safe car restraints for pets.
• Don’t eat while driving. Instead, take a few extra minutes to eat in a parking lot if needed.

The more we spread the word about the dangers of distracted driving and how to avoid them, the safer our roads and highways will be.

J&T Towing Is Dedicated To Safe Roads & Safe Travels

The J & T Towing team is always happy to give you a tow if your car breaks down or provide roadside assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We’re also here for you if you’re involved in a car accident and need us to tow your car. That said, we’d be thrilled if drivers paid close attention to the road ahead and avoided serious car accidents or fatalities due to distracted driving altogether.

Do you need roadside assistance or have questions about towing your car? Contact J&T Towing at (707) 356-4613, and one of our technicians will be on their way.