Home > Personal > Auto > Taking your eyes off the road for 2 seconds is a big deal!
When the first cars hit the roads they were as much (or more) a novelty, as they were the first step in mechanized transportation for the masses. Going for a “Sunday Drive” was an actual activity, not just an analogy for someone taking their sweet time. Vehicles were lighter, slower, and there wasn’t a constant sense of urgency to get from “Point A” to “Point B”.
Fast forward a little over a century and our vehicles have transformed into an average of a 2-ton living room/office/daycare that can cover 95 feet every second traveling down the road.
A lot of talk is occurring about distracted driving, but have you ever thought… “I can take my eyes off the road for 2 seconds, its no big deal”? To change a radio station, to answer a phone call, to look for an item you’ve dropped. Nearly every single one of us has at some point, even those who use a hands-free device. The more times you take your eyes off the road for just those two seconds, increases your likelihood of an incident. Do you believe in the great multitasking lie?
Let’s break it down.
When analyzing how long it takes for a vehicle to come to a stop, there are several factors to consider. Road conditions, visibility, tire and brake maintenance, driver physical condition, and mental acuity just to name a few.
How long does it take to stop your car when you recognize a hazard?
Let’s consider an optimum driver, in a well-maintained vehicle, under optimal conditions, in an average sedan-sized vehicle. The time that it would take that driver to recognize a hazard and develop a response is about 3/4 of a second. Once that driver has decided to act, the act itself will take another 3/4 of a second to physically maneuver the foot from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal and act. At a speed of 65mph that driver’s reaction distance just covered 143 feet. Once the brake is applied, it will take another 201 feet for that vehicle to come to a complete stop.
344 feet total; that’s 44 feet longer than the distance from one goal line to another at Lambeau Field. At 30mph the total stopping distance is about half the length of a football field. The larger and heavier the vehicle, the longer the stopping distance
There are times that even under ideal circumstances we are unable to avoid a collision, however its increasingly a problem that distracted drivers don’t provide themselves with proper awareness of the road. Taking your eyes off the road “just for two seconds” adds another roughly 140-150 feet of travel distance on top of the football field distance it will take to stop.
Wisconsin’s “Move Over Law”
‘Increasingly as a result of distracted driving numerous law enforcement, Fire/EMS, tow trucks, and public works vehicles have been struck on the roadways. Sadly, several of these have resulted in fatalities. Wisconsin’s “Move Over Law” mandates that when you approach law enforcement, ambulance, fire truck, tow truck, utility vehicle and/or highway maintenance vehicles that are stopped on the side of the road with warning lights activated… You MUST move over to vacate the lane closest to the vehicle with warning lights if there is more than one directional lane. If the roadway is a single lane in each direction or you can’t safely move over, you MUST reduce your speed.
A lot can happen as you travel the length of that football field waiting to come to a complete stop. People can step out between vehicles or emergency vehicles may move. Please approach emergency scenes and temporary traffic control areas slowly and provide as wide a berth as possible. As you approach these scenes, that change of the radio station, that phone call, or that dropped item can wait. These areas demand your undivided attention for everyone’s safety.
Don’t get distracted from the real purpose of driving
It is important to remember that the real purpose of driving is to get from “Point A” to “Point B” in a safe and timely manner. As much as life conditions us to try to maximize our productivity, at home or work, it’s important to remember that our safety and the safety of those around us on the road is paramount.
Author: Chris Schlechta Safety and Loss Control Manager
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Distracted driving is dangerous, claiming 3,142 lives in 2020. NHTSA leads the national effort to save lives by preventing this dangerous behavior. Get the facts, get involved, and help us keep America’s roads safe.
Number of people killed by distracted driving in 2020
Distracted Driving The Issue NHTSA In Action Take the Pledge Resources
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system — anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving. Texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.
You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.
TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS & DATA PUBLICATIONS
Using a cell phone while driving creates enormous potential for deaths and injuries on U.S. roads. In 2020, 3,142 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.
We can all play a part in the fight to save lives by ending distracted driving.
Teens
Teens can be the best messengers with their peers, so we encourage them to speak up when they see a friend driving while distracted, to have their friends sign a pledge to never drive distracted, to become involved in their local Students Against Destructive Decisions chapter, and to share messages on social media that remind their friends, family, and neighbors not to make the deadly choice to drive distracted.
Parents
Parents first have to lead by example — by never driving distracted — as well as have a talk with their young driver about distraction and all of the responsibilities that come with driving. Have everyone in the family sign the pledge to commit to distraction-free driving. Remind your teen driver that in states with graduated driver licensing (GDL), a violation of distracted-driving laws could mean a delayed or suspended license.
Educators and Employers
Educators and employers can play a part, too. Spread the word at your school or workplace about the dangers of distracted driving. Ask your students to commit to distraction-free driving or set a company policy on distracted driving.
Make Your Voice Heard
If you feel strongly about distracted driving, be a voice in your community by supporting local laws, speaking out at community meetings, and highlighting the dangers of distracted driving on social media and in your local op-ed pages.
NHTSA leads the fight nationally against distracted driving by educating Americans about its dangers and partnering with the states and local police to enforce laws against distracted driving that help keep us safe. NHTSA’s campaigns and public service announcements make the case to Americans that safe driving means driving without distractions. You’ve likely seen or heard our public service announcements, but we’re also on Facebook and Twitter sharing stories and tips to help save lives. The foundation of NHTSA’s efforts on distracted driving and other risky driving behaviors is our partnership with the states and local police. The states determine laws affecting distracted driving, but NHTSA provides federal investments in the locally driven strategies that address the states’ specific needs. One of the highlights of this relationship comes during April’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month, which pairs a national advertising campaign with a law enforcement crackdown called U Drive. U Text. U Pay. Your state legislature and governor make the laws regarding distracted driving. Many states now have laws against texting, talking on a cell phone, and other distractions while driving. You can visit the Governors Highway Safety Association to learn about the laws in your state.The Law