Phone addicts worse than drunk drivers
April 29, 2019
By Eugene Herbert
Distracted driving has surpassed drunk driving and speeding to become the top roadway threat.
A recent study shows how dangerous driving has become. While it is true many drivers are sensitised to the dangers of driving under the influence and, which coupled society’s desire to be healthier, stigmatises noncompliance.
Drivers are 10% more distracted behind the wheel than last year and the number of cellphone addicts has doubled, according to Zendrive’s third annual “Distracted Driving Study,” which analysed over 160 billion miles of data.
Key among the findings: ‘Phone addicts’ have replaced drunk drivers as the top roadway threat today, note the authors.
According to the report, a phone addict is someone who uses a phone 10% or more of the time while operating their vehicle. The findings showed that phone addicts spend three times more drive time using their phones and 28% of their driving time actively ignoring the road.
In addition, phone addicts are more frequently on the road — 1.5 times more often than the general driving population.
To better understand the study findings, Zendrive conducted a survey with drivers. The findings indicate that while people know distracted driving is a major problem, they aren’t concerned enough to change their behavior.
Some 85% of respondents acknowledged distracted driving is a problem. While 90% claimed to be safe drivers, nearly half (47%) admitted to using their phones 10% of more of the time while driving, classifying them as phone addicts.
However, of those considered phone addicts, 93% said they are “pretty safe” or “extremely safe” drivers.
It is about time that the ‘abuse’ of cellphones is afforded the same negative connotations as driving under the influence. While the habitual culprits will no doubt continue responsible drivers can ensure that they set the right example – if only to the occupants of their vehicle.