Embracing Safety During Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Kemper Auto is calling attention to the impact and solutions to distracted driving, because every life on the road is everyone’s responsibility.

April marks Distracted Driving Awareness Month and at Kemper Auto, we're promoting the importance of driving undistracted. 

In today's fast-paced world, distractions are more prevalent than ever but understanding the gravity of distracted driving can save lives and communities.

Our safe driving initiative is dedicated to educating drivers on how their habits behind the wheel can significantly affect not only their safety but the well-being of others. Through this initiative, we’re showcasing the consequences of distracted driving, encouraging practices that reduce risk factors, and discussing the broader community impact.

Defining Distracted Driving

Distracted driving occurs when a driver shifts their attention from the road. Common distractions include texting, using social media, eating, engaging with passengers, and adjusting the car's radio or navigation system. 

Though it might seem harmless to glance at your phone or change a song, these distractions can drastically impair your ability to observe road signals and react to dangers.

Distracted driving is a huge contributor to road accidents. Statistics reveal nine people die every day in the United States due to distracted driving.¹ Young drivers, particularly those aged 16 to 24, are more likely to engage with their phones while driving.² If you’re teaching a new driver, be sure to explain how their behaviors behind the wheel can affect not only their driving skills but also the community.

Understanding Risk Factors

Driving demands undivided attention because it involves making quick decisions and reacting to events happening around you. Many factors can increase driving risks, including bad weather, nighttime driving, poor vehicle maintenance, and impaired driving. 

When drivers are trying to deal with risky conditions, they might start doing things like playing with their car controls, looking at their phones for weather updates, or simply zoning out because they're tired or impaired. Being aware of these risks and taking measures to stay focused on the road is critical for safety.

Nighttime driving fatalities

Nighttime fatalities surged by 56% in 2023, highlighting the increased dangers of driving after dark. If you have to drive at night, drive cautiously during these times below:³

• During the spring and summer months, fatal crashes peaked between 8 p.m. and 11:59 p.m.
• From November through March, the peak for fatal crashes was from 4 p.m. to 7:59 p.m.

Alcohol and drug-related fatalities

Every day, about 37 people in the United States die in alcohol-impaired crashes. That's one person every 39 minutes.⁴ Most people know the effects of drunk driving but did you know, you are more likely to also encounter a drunk driver when late-night driving? 

According to the NHTSA:⁵  

• From 9 p.m. to midnight, 46% of fatal crashes were due to alcohol-impaired driving.  
• From midnight to 3 a.m., 66% of fatal crashes were due to alcohol-impaired driving. This timeframe has the highest number of alcohol-impaired drivers compared to other times.  
• From 3 a.m. to 6 a.m., 52% of fatal crashes were due to alcohol-impaired driving.   

Poor vehicle maintenance

Additionally, poor vehicle maintenance can be dangerous. For instance, improper tire inflation can lead to dangerous blowouts. The recommended tire pressure (PSI) is typically 30-35 but if you are still unsure, refer to your owner’s manual for a more accurate number.⁶  

To keep your car in good working order, make sure you inspect it at least twice a year and replace any defective components if necessary.    

The Community Impact  

The ripple effects of distracted driving extend beyond individual consequences, even impacting entire communities. Accidents in neighborhoods can create a sense of insecurity among residents, stop people from walking or biking in the area, and damage public and private property, altering the community's atmosphere. Particularly alarming is the threat distracted drivers pose near schools, endangering young pedestrians and cyclists.  

In 2021, 644 pedestrians and cyclists lost their lives in accidents caused by distracted drivers,⁷ emphasizing the far-reaching consequences of distracted driving and community impact.  

By recognizing the communal impact of our driving habits, we can create a more responsible approach to driving. Discussing the dangers of distracted driving with friends and family spreads awareness and fosters a community-oriented mindset toward road safety.  

A Call to Action  

For Distracted Driving Awareness Month, Kemper Auto urges everyone to commit to safer driving practices. Remember, each time you're behind the wheel, your actions not only affect you but everyone around you.  

Visit our dedicated website for Distracted Driving Awareness Month, where you can learn more about the impact of distracted driving and discover practical tips for safer driving.   

Check out the site → 

Let's come together to make the roads safer for all, because every life on the road is everyone’s responsibility.    
 

Sources:    

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/distracted_driving/index.html    
2. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813531    
3. National Safety Council (NSC): https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/overview/crashes-by-time-of-day-and-day-of-week/    
4. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving    
5. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/Publication/811523    
6. DriveSafe Online: https://www.drivesafeonline.org/vehicle-maintenance/dangers-of-improperly-inflated-tires/  
7. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/Publication/813443