Tag: distracted driving

Q: I’ve heard the Traffic Safety Commission talking about how most drivers aren’t driving distracted (something like nine out of ten.) I find that hard to believe. When I look around I see people on their phones all the time. How’d you get those numbers?

A: Before I explain how we got the numbers, let’s consider why you don’t believe them. If it’s any comfort, you’re not alone. Many people, when they hear the statistic that more than nine out of ten drivers are focused on the road, reject the data as somehow flawed.

I’m guilty of it myself. Last week, while in a city I don’t visit often, I walked along the main thoroughfare and thought to myself, “Wow, every driver in this town is on their phone.” To confirm my observation I started counting. After 50 or so vehicles, I counted five drivers that were on their phone or otherwise distracted, roughly in line with the statewide results.

Continue reading “Why We Don’t Believe Distracted Driving Data (And Why We Should)”

What if I could guarantee you a 47 percent improvement in the quality of your daily commute? Yeah, I can’t do that, but it would be great if I could, right? That doesn’t mean there’s no hope for a better drive, especially if you’re a parent or you regularly have kids in the car with you. No, I’m not suggesting you leave them home 47 percent of the time.

My kids are adults now, but I still remember that not every drive with the kids was perfect. Sure, we had plenty of drives that involved singing songs together and talking about our day, but there were also the ones that involved lines like, “Dad, his hands are on my side of the seat. Make him stop!” Followed by, “No they’re not. I’m touching the center part. That’s no man’s land.” This inevitably resulted in both kids putting their hands in “no man’s land” and literal hand-to-hand combat.

Continue reading “How Kids Can Help Improve Your Drive”

Q: What’s the deal with people who wear a mask when they’re driving by themselves in a car, but then they’re texting while driving?

A: Over the past few months I’ve had several people ask me this question, or some variation of it. This morning, as I was walking through my neighborhood I witnessed it myself. I think what prompts this question is a perceived paradox: wearing a mask while driving suggests that you’re concerned about your health, but texting while driving sends the opposite message.

Continue reading “What’s The Risk of Distracted Driving?”