Study aims to reduce distracted driving fatalities

JACKSON, Tenn. — According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving contributes to approximately 9% of fatal crashes.

However, researchers believe this number is actually higher. AAA‘s recent study aimed to learn more about why so many people are distracted while behind the wheel.

“This study really focused on, you know, smartphones already have that technology to block some of those distractions when we’re driving with the ‘do not disturb’ feature. We were curious why drivers don’t use it,” said Megan Cooper with AAA.

The study showed that there were a few misconceptions with younger drivers regarding how this feature works.

“A lot of drivers thought that it would limit access to their music or navigations. Which is not true,” Cooper explained.

Cooper says that many older drivers were not aware of these features. Younger drivers, however, knew about them, but were nervous to utilize them.

“So they worry that they’ll miss an important text or an important phone call, which makes them hesitant to use do not disturb,” Cooper said.

At the end of the day, distracted driving is dangerous. It is something that Cooper hopes does not develop in new drivers.

“We really want them to focus as much as they can,” said Cooper. “Learn those good habits behind the wheel early. We don’t want them to learn bad habits that they’re going to have to fix later on in their driving career.”

The study AAA conducted resulted in a 41% decrease in smartphone interactions.

Many insurance companies offer devices to track how safe you drive, including if you are distracted or not, which can lower your premiums.

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