Distracted driving statistics released during Heads Up Driving Week

It’s Heads Up Driving Week and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is throwing some sobering stats out there to encourage drivers to pay more attention on the road.

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is sharing some tips for reducing distracted driving-related crashes, and the biggest one is this: practice what you preach. The annual Traffic Safety Culture Index shows 95 percent of drivers consider cell phone use while driving a safety threat, yet 35 percent have read or sent a text or email while driving within the last month.

 

Here are some national stats on who’s doing what while behind the wheel:

88 percent of drivers feel talking on a phone is a threat to their safety
Nearly 68 percent admitted to having talked on a cell phone while driving in the past month
35 percent of drivers admitted to reading or sending text messages or emails while driving
87 percent of drivers expressed support for having a law against reading, or sending a text message or email while driving
50 percent of drivers support having a law against the use of any type of cell, hand-held or hands-free, for all drivers regardless of age

Thirty-four states have anti-texting laws, but Pennsylvania doesn’t have a statewide cell phone ban for drivers.

Feed the Feed: Should Pennsylvania ban the use of cell phones while driving?