Distracted, Drunk, Drugged & Drowsy Driving

This week, USU Student Health Services presents Distracted, Drunk, Drugged & Drowsy Driving Awareness Week. Visit the display on the second floor of the TSC to learn about the dangers of distracted driving.

Last year a USU student was killed in a car accident due to distracted driving. She drove her car under a semi truck because she was distracted by her cell phone. Technology is distracting drivers more and more whether it's a cellphone, or GPS system. It is a smart rule of practice to leave your phone in your trunk while you drive, so you aren't temped to respond to a text, or surf the internet. Also, only operate a GPS while your car is parked. It is important to remember driving is a serious task. Anytime you get behind the wheel you put your life, and others lives in danger. Always stay alert and distraction free while driving.

Texting While Driving

Facts

• 25% of drivers in the United States reported that they “regularly or fairly often” talk on their cell phones while driving. In Europe, percentages ranged from 21% in the Netherlands to 3% in the United Kingdom. 
• 75% of U.S. drivers ages 18 to 29 reported that they talked on their cell phone while driving at least once in the past 30 days, and nearly 40% reported that they talk on their cell phone “regularly” or “fairly often” while driving. 
• 9% of drivers in the United States reported texting or e-mailing “regularly or fairly often” while driving.
• 52% of U.S. drivers ages 18-29 reported texting or e-mailing while driving at least once in the last 30 days, and more than a quarter report texting or e-mailing “regularly” or “fairly often” while driving.
• In 2010, 3092 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver and an estimated additional 416,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver.
• 18% of injury crashes in 2010 were reported as distraction-affected crashes.
• 11% of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted.
• Drivers who use hand-held devices are 4 times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. 
• Text messaging creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted.
• Sending or receiving a text takes a driver's eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent-at 55 mph-of driving the length of an entire football field, blind
• Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37%. 

Read the Distracted, Drunk, Drugged & Drowsy Press Release