Friday , March 29 2024

ARE YOU A DISTRACTED DRIVER?

DISTRACTED DRIVERApril is known as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Everyone loves the freedom of getting behind the wheel of their car and just go, but are you easily distracted behind the wheel? Over 3,328 people nationwide were killed and over 421,000 were injured in motor vehicles accidents by distracted drivers. Distracted driving has become a deadly trend as is on the up rise.
One of the most deadly causes of a distracted driver is cell phone usage. Over 28 percent of all crashes are caused by drivers using a cell phone. Drivers who use hand held devices are four times more likely to be distracted and be involved in a serious accident. Text messaging while driving is a heightened concern because it actually has three combined types of distractions. These distractions are manual, visual and cognitive. Manual involves your hands to be off the steering wheel. Visual- your eyes are not on the road and cognitive means your thinking is impaired and your thoughts are not on driving.
Hands free devices can decrease the number of serious injuries and deaths while driving but this will not prevent a distraction from occurring. Suggestions are to turn your phone on silence when driving. Resist temptations by putting your phone in the glove compartment or trunk. Many cell phone companies now have certain apps on the phone that states you are driving. If someone calls or texts you they will receive this message. Other distractions while driving are reading a map, putting on makeup, shaving (yes I have witnessed this) eating, drinking, pets and even disciplining the children.
During the month of April enforcement will be out looking for distracted drivers. Fines can be as much as $100 dollars. Is talking on a cell phone or doing something else other than focusing on driving worth a fine or a life? Many people don’t realize that a motor vehicle can be a deadly weapon. Let’s all ban together and drive safely  for another day.
Interim Healthcare Inc.
Leesburg
352-326-0400
www.interimhealthcare.com/leesburg
Ocala
352-351-5040
www.interimhealthcare.com/ocala

Check Also

Nourishing the Nation

Nourishing the Nation: Celebrating National Nutrition Month

By Elizabeth Mello, Executive Director March marks the arrival of National Nutrition Month, an annual …