Your Text Can Wait. Your Life Can’t | The Dangers of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in the United States, resulting in nearly 805,000 accidents in a recent year. Don’t just take our word for it. Find out first-hand about the risks of texting while driving by playing our Dangers of Distracted Driving game!

The Eye-Opening Reality

Drivers must stay focused on the traffic around them and any changes in road conditions. The Dangers of Distracted Driving game helps reveal what distracted drivers miss when they are texting rather than concentrating on driving.

Distracted driving poses a serious danger in Kentucky and across the nation. According to the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety (KOHS), distracted driving results in 50,000 crashes, 15,000 injuries, and 200 deaths annually.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that about 13 percent of all traffic collisions in a recent year involved at least one distracted driver. Of the 805,000 total crashes attributed to distraction, about 65,000 involved cellphone use.

Image of a person using his phone while driving

It’s Not Just Your Phone That is Distracting

Distracted driving is commonly associated with cellphone use. However, there are many forms of driver inattention related to distractions. Anything that diverts attention and takes a driver’s eyes off the road, their hands off the wheel, or their mental focus off the task of driving is a potential distraction. Consider the following ways that many drivers become distracted while driving without even realizing it:

Eating and drinking
Chatting with passengers
Grooming
Reaching for things inside the car
Adjusting radio or GPS controls
Daydreaming

Image of attorney speaking with a client

Kentucky’s Fight Against Distractions

Texting while driving isn’t just a bad idea. it’s actually illegal.

Kentucky distracted driving laws forbid all drivers from sending or reading text messages on a cell phone or electronic device while their vehicle is in motion.

Drivers 18 and over can enter coordinates on GPS navigation devices, and they can read, select contact info, or dial numbers to make a call. Drivers under 18 cannot use any form of communication device and may not enter GPS coordinates while their vehicle is in motion. Manually entering names or numbers must be completed while the vehicle is stopped.

A conviction of texting while driving adds three points to your driving record in Kentucky and may increase your auto insurance premiums. Drivers who accumulate 12 or more points within two years may have their driving privileges suspended.

Your Pathway to Stay Focused

We all have a role in combating the dangers of distracted driving and keeping Kentucky’s roads safe. Here are a few ways you can avoid driving distractions:

Put Your Phone Away: Before starting your drive, place your phone in the glove box or another out-of-reach area. This prevents the temptation to check notifications or texts while driving.
Pre-set Your Navigation and Audio: Set your GPS destination and choose your playlist or radio station before you begin driving. Programming the navigation system or radio while the vehicle is in motion can take your attention away from driving.
Eat Before You Drive: Try to schedule meals so that you can eat before or after your trip rather than while driving. If you must eat while on the road, pull over to eat your meal without risking your safety and that of others.
Plan for Stops: If you need to make a phone call or text, find a safe spot to pull over before you make the call.

Spread the Word

Now that you know about the dangers of distracted driving, it’s time to spread the word! You can prevent distracted driving. Challenge your friends and family to try our texting-while-driving game and tell them what they can do to stay focused on driving the next time they hit the road.