According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 3,275 people were killed and 324,819 people were injured in 2023 by distracted driving.
Texting and driving get the headline, but it is not the only risky behavior that may take our attention away from safely navigating the roads and be a cause of distracted driving. It only takes a few seconds of taking our eyes off the road for a tragic incident to occur.
Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.
Additional risky driving behaviors:
- Eating
- Attending to children
- Applying makeup
- Shaving
- Reading
- Adjusting the radio
The end of the school year is upon us, and more kids will be on or near the roadways. We all play a role in maintaining safe roadways for all. It starts with one. You can make a difference and ensure our local roads are safer. Encourage friends and family to do the same.
Kyle Black is the District Manager at Seneca Meadows Landfill located in Seneca Falls, New York.