Distracted Driving Solutions: How to Stop Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a significant cause of road accidents and poses safety and financial risks to fleets and the businesses that operate them. Fleet managers and fleet owners are looking for innovative distracted driving solutions to keep their fleets safer and improve their bottom line.

Before discussing how to avoid distracted driver behavior, it's essential to know the different types of distractions that can affect drivers.

What Is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving occurs when drivers are not paying attention to what they're doing behind the wheel. At its most basic level, driving distractions are considered any activity that diverts a driver's attention from the road while behind the wheel.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019, 3,142 deaths were caused by driving distractions. And each year, approximately 2.5 million crashes involve distracted driving.

When most people think of distracted driving, the first thing that comes to mind is cell phone use or texting. And while it is a major contributor, there are many other driving distractions, such as eating, listening to the radio, and more.

When drivers are multitasking behind the wheel, driving distractions pose a significant danger to everyone on the road. The statistics below paint a grim picture of how dangerous and devastating distracted driving can be.

Additional distracted driving statistics include:

• 8.7% of car crash fatalities in 2019 were caused by distracted driving.
• 25% of distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes are between 20 and 29 years old. (CDC)
• 48 States and the District of Columbia have banned cell phone use in an effort to reduce distracted driving.

Based on data collected during the last five years, distracted driving causes:

• More than 3,000 deaths a year.
• Approximately 280,000 injuries a year.
• Approximately 920,000 total accidents a year (fatalities and injuries).

Types of Driving Distractions

Distractions fall into several main types of categories:

• Visual distractions – when something catches your eye and takes your attention off the road.
• Auditory distractions – sounds that take your attention away from driving, such as hands-free phone use or listening to music.
• Manual distractions – taking your hand off the wheel to eat, drink, or text.
• Cognitive distractions – your mind wanders, and you are not focusing on driving, such as being too tired to drive or preoccupied with strong emotions.

7 Top Driving Distractions

Although texting and driving are the most common types of driving distractions, there are numerous other distractions that can divert attention away from the road and cause accidents.

Below are some common ways people's attention can be distracted while driving.

1) Phone use

Both texting and talking on the phone take drivers' attention off the road. Unfortunately, this type of driving distraction has deadly consequences.

2) Eating

According to a study by The Zebra conducted in 2021, more than 50% of respondents said they have eaten while driving. It may not seem like a significant issue, but anything that takes attention from the road is always risky and can cause accidents.

3) Drinking

Just like eating, drinking coffee or another beverage while driving is a very common distraction. So common that people rarely think about it. But trying to grab your drink can take your attention off the road for a dangerous split second. And if you are drinking coffee, there is the risk of it spilling, which can be even more dangerous.

4) Drowsiness

Driving requires complete attention and quick reflexes. Driving while drowsy or tired can cause drivers to dose off, become easily distracted, and slow their reaction time.

5) Inputting Information into a GPS Device

Laws regarding the use of GPS systems in the US vary from State to State. However, the best practice is to set up your GPS navigation before hitting the road. This way, you won't have to worry about getting lost or being involved in an accident.

6) Checking the Mirrors

Checking the rearview mirror is a part of driving, but can also be a distraction. Even a quick glance can take your focus off the road for a few seconds. So, be careful when checking the rearview mirror.

7) Passengers

Just like talking on the phone, talking to passengers can be distracting. However, there will be times when drivers and passengers share a vehicle. Therefore, drivers should be mindful to keep their attention on the road.

5 Ways Distracted Driving Impacts Fleets

Distracted driving often has dire consequences for fleet businesses. For example, the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) report shows that traffic crashes caused by distracted driving cost employers $18.8 billion in 2018. Below are five ways this impacts a fleet.

1) Driver Medical Bills

If any of your fleet drivers is involved in a distracted driving crash or accident, they - and any passengers - will require immediate medical care.

In addition, fleet operators will have to settle any worker's compensation claims with their drivers and other injured employees.

2) Damage to Fleet Vehicles

Repairing vehicles damaged in accidents is expensive, depending on the amount of damage. In addition, bodywork and replacement parts are also expensive.

If the vehicle is completely totaled, you will need to replace it. And in both these scenarios, you will have to manage costly downtime.

3) Company Safety Reputation

Racking up distracted driving incidents will have a direct and negative effect on the fleet's reputation. Thus, it will give customers the impression that your fleet is not reliable or trustworthy. And it can result in your fleet losing valuable business.

4) Liability Lawsuits

A liability lawsuit filed by a victim of an accident is one of the most expensive legal matters a fleet can encounter. If one of your drivers has caused injuries or losses due to a distracted driving accident, your business could be judged liable in court.

5) Higher Insurance Premiums

Even a minor accident can cause your insurance premiums to go up. A succession of distracted driving charges will result in significant premium hikes.

How to Stop Distracted Driving

Fleet managers need to take safety measures to safeguard their drivers, assets, and the roads and communities they operate in. It starts by taking proactive steps to eliminate distracted driving behaviors such ad cell phone use and other habits.

1) Fleet Safety Programs

Fleets that implement driver training programs and safe driving policies are making their fleets safer. These programs and policies let drivers know that safety is vital to every fleet operation.

They should know that they are expected to follow all safety best practices while driving. This includes wearing safety belts, driving defensively, avoiding cell phone use, eating or drinking, and other unsafe behaviors that can lead to distracted driving.

2) Campaigns to Raise Awareness of Distracted Driving

Many fleets launch campaigns to help educate their drivers about distracted driving and help them change any habits that may contribute to it. These campaigns highlight issues, present resources and facts, and offer a way for drivers to share experiences, learn from them. It also helps create a collective change in the fleet's safety culture.

3) Distracted Driving Technology Solutions

However, self-policing and retroactive enforcement does not create the safety culture your fleet needs. The best driving distraction solution is a proactive solution. Technology can play a vital role in curbing fleet-wide distracted driving.

Innovative telematics solutions integrated with dash cameras and Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as MiX Vision AI, provides fleet managers with powerful tools to identify and curb distracted driving proactively.

How MiX Vision AI Helps Stop Distracted Driving

MiX Vision AI makes use of 3 cameras – road-facing, driver-facing, in-cab facing – and an AI Driving Coach that helps prevent distracted driving.

• The road-facing camera detects risky driving behaviors and sends real-time alerts for collisions, following distance, and lane departures.
• The driver-facing camera detects events such as distracted driving, fatigue, phone use, smoking, and seatbelt use.
• The in-cab camera records real-time audio and visual footage in the cab interior.
• The AI Driving Coach helps drivers in real-time with visual alerts.

These features help reduce distracted driving and improve fleet safety.

If you are interested in a technological solution to distracted driving, contact us to learn more.