Put Down Your Phone And Read These 8 Statistics About Texting And Driving You Wish Didn't Exist
Start writing a post
Adulting

Put Down Your Phone And Read These 8 Statistics About Texting And Driving You Wish Didn't Exist

We text all the time, so it's no surprise you may find yourself wanting to pick up your phone even when you're driving.

127084
Put Down Your Phone And Read These 8 Statistics About Texting And Driving You Wish Didn't Exist

You're driving to the grocery store when your phone buzzes in your pocket. You instinctively reach to check it, but it can wait until you park. These are eight statistics to read before you text and drive because they'll change how you view your time on the road.

Everyone's made the mistake of looking at their phone while in the driver's seat, but not everyone gets home safely afterward. Learn why it's better to avoid distracted driving so you don't become one of these statistics this year:

1. 88% of millennials engage in risky driving. 

Young people grew up with new technology, so it feels natural to use it every day. Still, your phone should always stay out of sight when you're on the road. Habits involving texting and checking social media are just a few reasons why 88% of millennials engage in risky driving every year, like running stoplights or speeding.

2. 9% of people send emails and texts while driving. 

No one wants to look like they don't care about their job. Impressing your boss or helping your team is why 9% of people check their phones for work-related texts while they drive. If your job demands such attention that you're risking your life, it's time to look elsewhere for employment.

3. There are three types of drivers. 

You might check your phone because you believe you have a pressing reason, but distracted drivers are more similar than you'd think. Your reasoning could fall into one of these categories, so think about if you text and drive because you: experience visual distractions, have manual distractions, or think distracting thoughts.

Avoid these types of driving, and you'll become safer on the road.

4. Distraction-affected crashes killed 9.9% more people in 2019. 

Drunk driving is frequently in the news, but distracted driving should be just as important to the public. In 2019, distracted drivers killed 9.9% more people than in 2018. This number continues rising each year and should become a widely addressed national issue.

5. Phones make crashing 12 times more likely. 

If you look away from the road to text and drive or dial a phone number, crashing becomes 12 times more likely because you're distracted. Even if you're the only car on the road, you could drive onto the shoulder and overcorrect into an accident. Whoever you want to contact can wait in exchange for potentially saving your life.

6. Distracted driving comes with expensive fines. 

Depending on where you live, texting and driving could cost a pretty penny. Drivers in Alaska risk a $500 fine, but people in Iowa could pay $10,000 and serve time depending on if your accident kills another driver. Save yourself money and pain by avoiding your phone while you drive.

7. 48 states have all-driver laws against texting and driving. 

No matter your age, 48 states consider texting and driving illegal and punishable by fines or jail time. The remaining two states have similar laws applicable to novice drivers. Either way, it's still dangerous for anyone.

8. Distracted driving remains underreported.

While you review these statistics, remember most studies underreport distracted driving. Most police reports don't require reasons for a crash, so studies can only work with limited data.

The correct numbers might reflect even greater odds for crashes and deaths when you pick up your phone behind the wheel, but the public won't have that information unless reports better clarify future crash information.

Report this Content
Politics

Why The United Nations Is Key For The World

"As to the U.N., things will be different after Jan. 20th"- Donald J. Trump

89
Why The United Nations Is Key For The World
Flickr/ses7

The United Nations (UN) has been in existence since June of 1945. Since then, the world has come together to work on and solve some of the harshest problems that face the Human Race. Be it children in societal ills like Human Trafficking, natural issues like Deforestation, or issues of extreme poverty, the UN has worked together in an attempt to make it a better place for us all. It's the only organization in the history of the world to bring people together in a willing, peaceful way; a feat that not even the League of Nations could do in the Post- WWI era. Why was it that one organization failed, and the other one is still going strong, 72 years later?

Keep Reading...Show less
Rory Gilmore
Bustle

Quick-witted and insanely smart, Rory Gilmore has a track record for memorable, relevant quotes that have become a part of fans’ repertoires. With it being finals season, many of Rory’s words can be conveniently interpreted to reflect life during the last weeks of the semester. Here are some of Rory’s wisest words that explain your life during finals season.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Rosh Hashanah Reflection

My experience welcoming the Jewish new year.

832
Rosh Hashanah Reflection
The Huffington Post

Well, the fall season is finally upon us. It’s time for pumpkin spice coffee, apple cider and lots of candy.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Fall Is Here!

10 reasons why you should love fall

3796
Fall Is Here!
Photo Cred: T Stangell

It's officially fall, which means I am happy, so very happy. Fall is hands down the best season on the planet. Below, I will go over reasons as to why fall is the best and should be loved by everyone.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Coffee! Coffee! Coffee!

Lorelai Gilmore and I are kindred spirits.

5288
Coffee! Coffee! Coffee!

When I was in high school, I was the occasional coffee drinker, if you could call it that. I would drink Starbucks frappuccinos and iced mocha drinks, which were more like snacks than coffee, BUT they had coffee in them, so I said I drank coffee. I progressed from my love of “snack drinks" to a more general appreciation of coffee, and would have a cup of coffee once a week or so. My “cup of coffee" would consist of a little coffee and a lot of cream and sugar, but it was coffee nonetheless. Then I started college.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments