Infographic: Dangers of Distracted Driving go Beyond Texting
Continuing the conversation from our post about whether teens find driving drunk more dangerous than texting while driving, a new infographic from Allstate Insurance shows some stats that may prove the opposite.
Texters are three times slower to react than drunk drivers
Research has shown that drivers who text while behind the wheel are 37.4 percent slower to react, compared to intoxicated drivers, whose reaction time diminishes by 12.5 percent.
Texters would take three times longer to react to a pedestrian, bicyclist, or animal running out in front of a car than a drunk driver.
Eating, passengers and pets can be distracting
Distraction comes in many forms – it can be cognitive, visual and manual. Think about how many actions you conduct when driving that are more distracting than you realize.
Which of these actions have you done behind the wheel? Share in the comments below.
• Apply makeup in the mirror
• Read or send email
• Eat or drink
• Read or send text messages
• Tend to a child
• Turn around to talk to passengers
• Use a laptop or tablet
For more information on distractions in the car, check out this infographic from Allstate Insurance:
About Melanie Batenchuk: Melanie Batenchuk is the founder and editor of Be Car Chic, a website dedicated to sharing industry news and automotive advice. She is recognized as a subject matter expert within the auto community, particularly in the areas of consumer advice and distracted driving. Melanie also heads the automotive sector practice as Vice President at Beekeeper Group, a public affairs firm in Washington, D.C.