Distracted Driving

Distracted Driving Things to Know:

What are the facts in Maryland concerning distracted driving?

• Of the total crashes where distracted driving was a factor, approximately 58 percent involved a male driver.
  
• Young drivers are a high-risk group for distracted driving. Drivers age 16 to 20 are involved in a significantly high percentage of total distracted crashes and also those crashes that result in injuries.
  
• Distracted driving is the most frequent contributing factor in crashes among drivers age 80 and over.
  
• Almost 20 percent of fatal crashes in Maryland where distracted driving is a factor occur on interstate roadways.
  
• The highest number of total crashes involving distracted driving occurs in May, October, November, and December.
• The highest number of crashes resulting in a fatality occurs in July August, and October.
  
• And perhaps it is anticipation for a nice long weekend but the majority of crashes involving distracted driving occur on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
  

What can Marylanders do to combat this problem?

Pay Attention. Even a brief lapse in concentration can have dire consequences.

• Use your cell phone wisely. At 60 miles per hour, if you take your mind off the road to answer an incoming call or dial a number on your phone, your vehicle will travel 88 feet per second! Please stop somewhere safe and use your cell phone in a responsible manner.
  
• Driving a car is not spare time. Your commute is not the time to do chores, apply makeup, shave, or read the newspaper. Activities such as these take your eyes off of the road and put other drivers in danger.
  
• Get your rest. Sleep deprivation can lead to severe lapses in your ability to pay attention while driving. Get a good night’s sleep and know when you need to rest.
  

Did you know?

• On average over the past five years, there have been over 44,000 crashes per year in the State of Maryland where distracted driving was a contributing factor.
  
• More than 60 percent of distracted diving-related crashes resulted in injuries and over 200 of these crashes resulted in one or more fatalities.
  
• Drivers that do not pay attention while driving are dangerous for everyone.
  
• Victims of distracted driving crashes don’t fall into any one group—they are family, friends, co-workers, and even children. 

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