Auto Focus

Avoid Situations that Drive You to Distraction

Here's a sobering statistic: In 2010, more than 3,000 people were killed in crashes involving distracted driving-related activities like texting or using cell phones.¹ That's comparable to the population of a small town simply vanishing into thin air, gone forever.

The good news is, you can play a role in curbing distracted driving and, who knows, maybe even save lives in the process. For starters, make a commitment to avoid the three main types of driving distractions: ²

• Manual: taking your hands off the wheel
• Visual: taking your eyes off the road
• Cognitive: taking your mind off driving

Texting is probably the biggest culprit, increasing the risk of car crashes by as much as 23 percent, according to the
Department of Transportation. Cell phone use in general is a significant cause of deadly car crashes, accounting for 18 percent of all distraction-related fatalities in America. But, there are other sources of distracted driving too, including:

• Eating and drinking
• Talking to passengers
• Grooming
• Looking at maps
• Using a navigation system
• Watching a video
• Adjusting the controls on a radio, CD player, or MP3 player

By refraining from these distracting activities, you'll make the road safer for yourself and others. Not only that, you'll also be setting a good example for younger drivers who may be in the car with you.

¹ U.S. Department of Transportation
² Centers for Disease Control