That Text Can Wait
It’s getting to be that time of the year, all the hustle and bustle of the holidays. More people will be out on the roads shopping, catching up with friends and family, or traveling distances to see loved ones. With everything we have going on in our busy lives, it is easy to get distracted, especially while driving. Cell phones of course are the number one culprit. Cell phones can be visual, manual, and cognitive distractions.
Any time a driver takes their eyes off the road, looking at GPS, texting, or checking social media, for example, are dangerous behaviors. Cell phones are also manual distractions, requiring you to take your hands off the wheel to check that text, or look at your GPS. Even when cellphone are used hands-free they remain cognitive distractions – taking your mental focus away from the road. Any time the driver’s mind is not fully on the task of driving, they have a cognitive distraction. It could be as simple as daydreaming or admiring the scenery.
Kentucky has the fourth highest number of fatal car crashes involving distracted drivers. Kentucky has the fifth highest number of fatal car crashes involving drowsy drivers. In 2022, Kentucky had 744 fatal car crashes, ranking 13th in the county for total fatal crashes. In 2023 that number rose to 813, the highest number since 2016. Cities like Louisville and Lexington have crash rates comparable to cities like Philadelphia and Los Angeles.
When you are traveling this holiday season remember to put away the distractions.
That text can wait.