15 Apr April Is Distracted Driving Awareness Month
April is distracted driving awareness month.
Construction zone prohibition
It is against the law to use a hand held phone in a construction zone in Virginia. Be aware that the texting law in Virginia prohibits the dialing of multiple digits. All dialing should be limited to voice activation or one touch dialing. The major issue with hand held phone usage is the handling of the phone. A Safe Way Driving Academy recommends using a phone mount to eliminate fumbling for the phone and having to look away from the road to use the phone.
Who is texting?
The most frequent distracted drivers are from ages 35-39 and 65+
The average text takes 4 seconds, in that amount of time at 45 mph you have covered 264 feet!
Driver Inattention
A recent
study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute shows that 80 percent of
all crashes and 65 percent of all near-crashes are the result of driver
inattention.
The top five driver distractions last
year were, in order:
- Drivers not having their eyes on the road
- Fatigue
- Looking at a roadside incident
- Cell phone use
- Passenger distractions
Texting: Distracted driving month
There are 3 basic types of distractions: Texting encompasses all three!
- Manual distraction: taking your
hands off the wheel
- Visual distraction: taking your eyes off the road
- Cognitive: your mind is preoccupied with something besides driving.
BUCKLE UP!
Make it a habit
Active Restraints: Seat Belts
The Third Impact
The Third Impact:
The third impact is the cause of many deaths in car accidents with occupants that are not buckled up.
- The first impact is that of your vehicle and the object it strikes.
- The second impact is that of the occupant with the vehicle.
- The third impact is that of your organs as they collide with your bone structure. At 65 mph your heart can burst when it collides with your rib cage. If you have been involved in an accident, it is advisable to go to the hospital and be examined even if you do not an apparent injury.
If the airbag symbol or light on the dash remains on have your airbag checked!
Secure loose objects
BUCKLE IN ALL PASSENGERS AND SECURE LOOSE OBJECT!
The force of impact of an object flying around in your car is the mass multiplied by the speed.
A 200-pound person flying around in a car crash at 50 mph results in a force of impact of 10,000 pounds! Serious damage and death will most likely occur! Buckle up everyone!