We all know we shouldn’t give into distractions when driving, so why is it so tempting to reach for the phone the moment you hear that little ding? Just a quick glance can’t hurt, right? Wrong.
Distracted Driving Facts To Remember
After years of PSAs about the dangers of being distracted when driving, it’s clear we know better than to do it—so why can’t we quit? It all stems from brain biology.
Research has shown that 92 percent of drivers recognize the dangers of texting and driving, and support making it illegal to text behind the wheel. Nonetheless, 60 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds believe they can text and drive safely. The biological phenomenon of cognitive dissonance tricks our brains into believing that we are not subject to the same risks and dangers as everyone else. Convinced we are the exception rather than the rule, we carry on with risky behaviors while recognizing the dangers posed when others do it behind the wheel.
In order to recognize the error in this logic, it’s important to understand what happens to our brain when we use a mobile phone. According to a behavioral health study recorded in the National Library of Medicine, talking on the phone, “our brains direct about 37 percent of our energy away from parts of brain that deal with driving resulting in “inattention blindness.” In the most basic terms, this means that you may be looking around at your environment, but you are not fully processing everything you are seeing.
As a result of this practice, the Psychology of Learning and Motivation explains that “it’s estimated that we can miss as much as 50 percent of what is going on around us when distracted.” It’s not hard to see why this can quickly become a serious hazard when we’re navigating around pedestrians, children, pets, construction zones and other drivers—many of whom are likely distracted themselves.
Driver Distraction Impact on Insurance
The safety and wellbeing of our policyholders and communities is of utmost importance to everyone at The Jemez Agency. Not only does raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving support safer roadways, it also helps us keep premiums low for our auto policyholders by reducing accidents and claims. From saving lives to saving money, everybody benefits.
