Meet our writers

Win $1,000







Opinion September 2012

Matters on My Mind

Moving to Stop Distracted Driving

By Sally Ann Connolly

It’s not surprising, then, that a distracted driver is 23 times more likely to crash. When the driver texts, he takes his eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At a speed of 55 mph, that’s long enough to travel the length of a football field.

As I came to a stop at a four-way intersection, an elderly gentleman in the car to my right waved me on. A gentleman, indeed. Too many times I encounter (and just miss hitting) distracted drivers—phone in hand—who rush through the intersection or cut me off.

“Put the phone down,” I rant in silence. “Tune in to the road.”

Of course, my words — even if they were heard — would have little effect. What we need is more rigorous enforcement of the laws against distracted driving. Even better would be a ban on the use of both handheld and hands-free devices by drivers.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that any action that takes attention away from driving increases the chance of an accident. “Each day,” the CDC reports, “more than 15 people are killed and more than 1,200 people are injured in crashes that were reported to involve a distracted driver.” The leading cause of distraction among drivers: cell phone use.

The once-hallowed sanctuary of the automobile is quickly vanishing. “At any point during the day,” the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tells us, “11 percent of drivers are talking on cell phones.” And whether the device is handheld or hands-free, the practice is fraught with danger.

Researchers David L. Strayer and Frank A. Drews of the University of Utah have shown that drivers talking on cell phones miss important visual cues. This “inattention blindness” is equivalent to driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent. In other words, driving drunk.

It’s not surprising, then, that a distracted driver is 23 times more likely to crash. When the driver texts, he takes his eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At a speed of 55 mph, that’s long enough to travel the length of a football field.

How often do you encounter cars traveling that speed on the highway? Usually, on my trips from Massachusetts to New Hampshire on I-95, I am the slow poke in the right lane who is traveling the speed limit of 65 mph.

All of us bear responsibility in ensuring greater safety on our roads. A step forward was taken by the judge in Massachusetts who handed down a prison sentence and long-term loss of license to the teenager who caused a fatal accident while texting. The message sent by that judge may act as a deterrent for some, but we need to do more.

As with smoking cessation and seatbelt usage, we need to urge our legislators to enact laws that really make a difference in curbing distraction. In addition, we should encourage our local authorities to be more aggressive in their enforcement of existing regulations. We should also lend our support to those schools, civic organizations, and businesses that seek to inform drivers of all ages about the dangers of distracted driving and how to minimize them.

In our own lives, we can lead by example. Although we may not be part of the age group most likely to use cell phones in cars or to text, we can refrain from calling or texting those who may be on the road. Usually, our message can wait. Safety cannot.

And finally, we can stay current about advances in technology, so that we can share what we have learned with family, friends, and the larger community.

Greater safety on the road is possible. Remember that troublesome road intersection? While returning from my errands later on the same day, I came to a full stop and locked eyes with the driver on my right. The young lady smiled, raised her device-free hand, and signaled “Go ahead.”

Needless to say, she made my day.

 

Sally Ann Connolly, a retired school counselor and author of three books, puts a spotlight on health, education, and lifestyle issues. Her website is www.neverbetter.net.

Meet Sally Ann