Distracted driving continues to be an issue to drivers everywhere. But in some areas of the country, distracted driving has pushed the number of crashes up. A fact that many have tied to the fact that drivers are simply detached from the act of driving, ignoring that they too have responsibilities.
According to the USA Today Network, the state of Wisconsin has seen over 24,000 crashes involving distracted drivers in 2015. In 2014, there were 22,000 crashes tied to distracted driving in the state. In 2015, about 10,600 people were injured and 94 were killed while in 2014, 9,700 were injured and 72 were killed in similar crashes.
To many locals, however, the increasing number of auto crashes tied to distracted driving is still a mystery. To the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, it’s clear that cell phone ownership, which has also been shooting up in the past years, is behind the rate increase.
According to a recent study by AAA, which we covered in our blog, 87 percent of drivers who responded to the survey say they engaged in at least one risky behavior while behind the wheel within the past 30 days. With the increasing number of drivers using their cell phones while behind the wheel, it’s only natural that a greater number of drivers are more distracted than ever.
If drivers are serious about their safety, they will make sure their attention is entirely focused on the act of driving, not on what their friends are posting to social media.
While not all states have this data on hand, AAA’s study has proven that the number of distracted driving crashes continues to increase over time. As more consumers purchase vehicles and smartphones, the trend will remain the same.
What motorists need to do to change things around and make sure that roads are safer for everyone is to focus on the act of driving, leaving the urge to become distracted behind.
If you’re curious to know more about what is going on in Wisconsin, follow this link to read more.
And if you’re serious about your safety and you do not want to trigger an auto crash that could expose you to injury risks, stay focused on the road ahead and not on what is going on with your phone. If necessary, install apps that will block your phone while the car is moving and make sure to keep your attention focused on the road even if you have other passengers, children or pets in the car.
