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.

127065
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
Featured

No Sex And Upstate New York

A modern-day reincarnation of Carrie Bradshaw's classic column

1
Pinterest

Around the age of 12, when I was deciding whether or not to be gay, Satan appeared on my left shoulder. “Ramsssey,” he said with that telltale lisp. “Come over to our side. We have crazy partiessss.” He made a strong case, bouncing up and down on my shoulder with six-pack abs and form-fitting Calvin Kleins. An angel popped up on the other shoulder and was going to warn me about something, but Satan interrupted- “Shut up, you crusty-ass bitch!’ The angel was pretty crusty. She disappeared, and from that moment forward I was gay.

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

To The Classes That Follow

I want you to want to make the most of the years that are prior to Senior year

471
To The Classes That Follow
Senior Year Is Here And I Am So Not Ready For It

I was you not that long ago. I was once an eager freshman, a searching sophomore, and a know-it-all junior. Now? Now I am a risk taker. Not the type that gets you in trouble with your parents, but the type that changes your future. Senior year is exciting. A lot of awesome things come along with being the top-dog of the school, but you, right now, are building the foundation for the next 4 years that you will spend in high school. I know you've heard it all. "Get involved", "You'll regret not going to prom", "You're going to miss this". As redundant as these seem, they're true. Although I am just at the beginning of my senior year, I am realizing how many lasts I am encountering.

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

The Power Of Prayer Saved My Best Friend's Life

At the end of the day, there is something out there bigger than all of us, and to me, that is the power of prayer.

2048
Julie Derrer

Imagine this:

Keep Reading... Show less
Featured

Why Driving Drives Me Crazy

the highways are home

1685

With Halloween quickly approaching, I have been talking to coworkers about what scares us. There are always the obvious things like clowns, spiders, heights, etc. But me? There are a number things I don't like: trusting strangers, being yelled at, being in life or death situations, parallel parking. All of these are included when you get behind the wheel of a car.

Keep Reading... Show less
Baseball Spring Training Is A Blast In Arizona
Patricia Vicente

Nothing gets me more pumped up than the nice weather and the sights and sounds of the baseball season quickly approaching.

Keep Reading... Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments