The National Safety Council has designated April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. In that regard, The Risk Institute at The Ohio State University has released some data on the growing trend of distracted driving that should be of interest to West Virginia residents.
Driving while tired can lead to serious accidents
Most West Virginia residents readily accept that sleep deprivation has a negative effect on mood, attitude and efficiency. People often comment that when they are tired, they are grumpy and find it difficult to concentrate. Unfortunately, many people do not appreciate how seriously fatigue can affect their driving abilities.
Daylight saving time may boost car crash risk
Changing clocks ahead each year can mean more for people living in West Virginia than simply missing out on an hour of sleep. The American Automobile Association (AAA) points out that missing a few hours of sleep or more nearly doubles a driver's risk of experiencing a crash. The motor club association further asserts motorists need a minimum of 7 hours of sleep per night to drive safely, which is why they urge drivers to give themselves time to adjust to daylight saving time before getting back behind the wheel.
Cellphone bans result in fewer distracted driving deaths
West Virginia has strict laws regarding cellphone use by drivers. As a result, the state is among those with significantly fewer distracted driving deaths, according to a study by ValuePenguin.com.
Drugs are a factor in a growing number of car crashes
While many people are already concerned about the effects of the opioid epidemic in West Virginia and around the country, studies indicate that those effects could extend to car accidents. According to one nationwide study, drivers in fatal two-car collisions held to be at fault for crashes were nearly twice as likely to test positive for opioids as those that were found not at fault. Regardless of the presence of opioids, other drugs, or alcohol, the most common cause of these fatal crashes was one driver veering out of his or her lane.
Defensive driving can avoid a drunk driver.
Few people in West Virginia desire to share the road with an impaired driver. Everyone now knows the danger a driver under the influence is to every other vehicle on the roadway. To avoid a potentially fatal situation, defensive driving techniques are in order.
More risky phone use leads to more distracted driving
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has released a study linking distracted driving with the increased use of handheld phones for other activities than talking. West Virginia residents should be aware that these other activities are far riskier than talking on the phone because they tend to take a driver's eyes off the road.
What West Virginia drivers can do to avoid drowsiness
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends seven hours of sleep every night. Going with less will only make one drowsy throughout the day, affecting behavior behind the wheel of a car. Yet in a AAA survey, nearly a third of the respondents said that they had been so tired behind the wheel at least one in the preceding 30 days that they were at the point of having drooping eyelids.
Distracted drivers, marijuana play role in rising car accidents
Car accidents have been increasing over the past several years in West Virginia and across the country. Since 2011, there has been a 30 percent increase in motor vehicle accidents. Analysts attribute the rise in vehicular crashes to the increased use of phones while driving, an increase in employment rates, the legalization of marijuana in many states and an increase in the average number of miles driven by drivers.
ZF presents strategy for developing external airbags
West Virginia residents may have heard that some car parts manufacturers are developing external airbags. ZF is one of those manufacturers, and it has recently come out with safety data and a strategy for developing airbags that may prompt others to consider the technology. According to reports, external airbags can reduce the severity of crash injuries by as much as 40 percent.
