The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) definition of distracted driving is “any activity that diverts attention from driving.”[1] The proliferation of smart devices has dramatically increased distracted driving and made it a persistent threat to every driver on the road. Sadly, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has said distracted driving is the top cause of accidents for truck drivers.[2] But luckily, there are concrete steps fleet managers can take to mitigate distracted driving.
Read on to learn the seven major mistakes drivers make with respect to distraction and how you can help drivers avoid them.
The Seven Distracted Driving Habits to Avoid
Distracted driving includes activities that fall into any of the following categories:
- Cognitive distractions that take one’s mind off driving.
- Visual distractions that remove the driver’s eyes away from the road.
- Manual distractions that cause a driver to take their hands off the wheel.
We’ll start with the most serious distracted driving habit to avoid:
1. Cell Phone Usage
Cell phone usage is not only the top distraction for drivers, it’s the most dangerous. The NHTSA states that it “combines visual, manual, and cognitive distraction.”[3] In 2022, 12.1% of fatal distraction-affected crashes involved cell phone use.[4]
Cell phone use is also notoriously difficult to combat. Most states have some type of restriction or law against using your cell phone while driving, yet phone-related accidents persist. As smartphones have become endemic to our way of life—and especially as they are used for GPS while driving—it’s an increasing challenge for every driver to avoid using one on the road.
2. Multitasking
Multitasking includes a broad range of cognitive distracted driving activities that may also include visual and/or manual distractions. Eating or drinking, putting on makeup, or adjusting the radio or navigation system are three common examples.
3. Other Passenger Activity
Talking to and interacting with other passengers in a vehicle is a top distraction; 82% of surveyed drivers in an NHTSA study said they talk to other passengers.[5] This distraction may be just as difficult to curb as cell phone use given how tricky it is to regulate passenger behavior.
4. Drowsiness
Drowsy driving counts as distracted driving, and it was responsible for 17.6% of all fatal crashes in the years 2017 – 2021.[6] It’s imperative for fleets to emphasize how fatigue is just as dangerous as driving under the influence.
5. Not paying attention to other drivers
Every driver knows they need to stay vigilant about other driver behavior, but they may not know that falling out of the habit of doing so counts as distracted driving. It’s important to use safety techniques like the Smith System to reinforce paying attention on the road and detecting potential hazards.
6. Rubbernecking
Rubbernecking might not seem like distracted driving, but it is a big visual distracted driving mistake. 16% of all accidents are caused by rubbernecking.[7] Drivers focused on rubbernecking are often not paying attention to other elements of their surroundings, and they may more commonly be aggravated, which can distract them as well.
7. Daydreaming
The Erie Insurance Group reports 61% of drivers daydream.[8] This tendency can be prevented with regular defensive driving training and/or with advanced dash cam technology.
Tips on How to Reduce Distracted Driving Mistakes
Fleets can take several steps to mitigate distracted driving:
Adopt AI-powered fleet management technology. AI-powered fleet safety and management technology, including dash cams, help fleet managers monitor driver performance while enabling drivers to coach themselves. In-cab alerts from the technology warn drivers if they are exhibiting a distracted driving behavior so they can self-correct. Fleet managers can gather footage from the system to showcase excellent driving and reinforce what superior non-distracted driving looks like.
Netradyne®’s Driver•i® AI fleet camera system offers advanced hardware and software to give fleet managers insight into driver performance and support self-coaching through in-cab alerts. Implementing fleet technology like Driver•i also helps fleets demonstrate that they are taking steps to mitigate distracted driving, which can lower insurance premiums.
Remind drivers to maximize rest stops. A University of Kentucky study found that fatigue-related crashes occurred in places where rest areas were 20 miles or farther.[9] Require drivers to include rest stops in their route. These stops are essential to their safety and health and help you mitigate FMCSA regulated Hours of Service policy violations.
Reduce distractions inside the vehicle. As part of your regular safety training, encourage drivers to resist distractions such as looking at mobile devices or fiddling with the radio. No meals behind the wheel.
Cut Distracted Driving With Netradyne
A good driver will concentrate as much as they can on the road, but anyone can lose focus over time or resort to bad habits. That’s why a fleet management system is essential. Driver•i helps fleet managers mitigate distracted driving by keeping tabs on driving behavior, helping drivers train themselves in the moment, and supporting a broader culture of positive recognition and safety. Discover how you can keep your fleet safe with Driver•i by booking a demo today.
References:
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/book/countermeasures-that-work/distracted-driving
- https://www.womenintrucking.org/blog/truck-drivers-distractions
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/book/countermeasures-that-work/distracted-driving
- https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/motor-vehicle-safety-issues/distracted-driving/
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/book/countermeasures-that-work/distracted-driving/understanding-problem
- https://aaafoundation.org/drowsy-driving-in-fatal-crashes-united-states-2017-2021/
- https://www.belluckfox.com/accidents-caused-by-traffic-congestion-and-rubbernecking/#:~:text=Drivers%20who%20become%20distracted%20by,are%20caused%20by%20rubbernecking%20drivers.
- https://www.erieinsurance.com/news-room/press-releases/2018/distracted-driving-survey
- https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/17214-study-links-fatigue-related-cmv-crashes-to-distance-from-rest-areas
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