By Erik Harden, BWC Public Information Officer
Cat videos are hilarious. Just not while you’re behind the wheel. And maybe eat that burrito in the restaurant instead of taking one for the road.
With smartphones, busy schedules and multitasking, it’s easier than ever to be distracted while driving. In fact, it’s now the No. 1 cause of crashes in the U.S., with nearly 3,500 Americans killed by distracted driving in 2015.*
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the perfect time to discuss the dangers of this growing problem with family, friends and co-workers. At BWC, we’re doing our part to raise awareness about distracted driving as part of our newest safety campaign. For example, did you know there are three types of distractions while driving? They are:
- Visual distractions that take your eyes off the road;
- Manual distractions that take your hands off the wheel;
- Cognitive distractions that take your mind off the task at hand.
You can learn more about all three and much more on our safe driving page.
If you want even more information about distracted driving, there is no shortage of it online. The National Safety Council (NSC) has a Distracted Driving Month section on its site. It’s also offering a free webinar – Engaging Ways to Address Distracted Driving at Work – on April 19. You can register for it on the NSC website.
Still want more? Try the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s distracted driving website or the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health’s Distracted Driving at Work. Just not while you’re driving.
*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics
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