ANSBACH, Germany (Sept. 8, 2014) -- In a recent survey, distracted driving was identified as one of the top five health concerns of members living in the U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach community.
Distracted driving is any activity that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your mind off your primary task of driving safely. What are the top ten distracted-driving activities drivers regularly engaged in?
Police reports data in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, a nationwide census of fatal motor vehicle crashes, and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration list the top ten distractions in fatal crashes as:
1. General distraction, being "lost in thought" or daydreaming -- 62 percent
2. Cellphone use (talking, listening, dialing, texting) -- 12 percent
3. Environmental distraction from outside (person, object, event) causing rubbernecking -- 7 percent
4. Other vehicle occupants -- 5 percent
5. Using or reaching for device within vehicle (navigational aid, headphones) -- 2 percent
6. Eating and drinking -- 2 percent
7. Adjusting audio or climate controls -- 2 percent
8. Use of device or control integral to the vehicle (adjusting rear view mirrors, seats) -- 1 percent
9. A moving object in the vehicle (pet, insect) -- 1 percent
10. Smoking including (lighting cigarette, disposing of ash) -- 1 percent
If you are guilty of one or all of the above distracted-driving offenses, you are not alone. And if you're driving distracted and others are driving distracted, who is paying attention while driving?
Take a minute to view the following 30-second videos courtesy of the U.S. Department of Transportation:
BAM! Social norming video: http://youtu.be/KAQzQgcnsEs
On My Way video: http://youtu.be/mnw_7xI5klM
The links are also available in the "Related Links" section above.
This month the garrison safety office wants you turn over a new leaf. Instead of waiting to make a New Year's resolution in January, make a commitment to reduce distracted driving today.
Here are some things to help you avoid cellphone distraction:
• Don't pick up the phone when you hear it ringing; let incoming calls go to voice mail.
• If someone calls you while they are driving, ask them to call you back later and hang up.
• If you must talk or text, pull over.
• Lead by example; if your children are to drive safely, show them how it's done.
The safety staff will publish weekly slides and tips on distracted driving. What we need you to do is share the tips with colleagues and family members so that we can turn the corner on distracted driving accidents.
To learn more about safety, visit "USAG Ansbach Safety Office" in the
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