The Dangers of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the fastest-growing threats to road safety around the world. Whether it’s texting, eating, adjusting the radio, or even daydreaming, any activity that diverts attention from the road can lead to disaster. Every second of inattention increases the chance of a collision that could injure or kill. Understanding the risks is the first step in changing behaviors and saving lives. By raising awareness, choosing focus over distraction, and promoting safe driving habits in our communities, we can protect lives and reduce preventable tragedies on our roads.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhlBi-Uyrf0
7 Key Facts About Distracted Driving
1. Looking Away for More Than 2 Seconds Is Dangerous
Any device or action that takes your eyes off the road for more than 1.5–2 seconds greatly increases the risk of a collision.
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2. Distraction Is a Common Cause of Collisions
Driver distraction is recognized as one of the most frequent and serious risk factors in road safety.
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3. Global Programs Target Safer Habits
Through initiatives like Drive in the Moment, efforts are underway to help drivers recognize and reduce distracted-driving behaviors.
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4. 79% of Drivers Admit to Being Distracted
A Canadian survey found that 79% of drivers acknowledge being distracted while behind the wheel.
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5. The Leading Cause of Collisions in Canada
Distraction has now surpassed impaired driving as the number-one cause of collisions on Canadian roads.
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6. It’s Not Just Texting — It’s “Multitasking”
Modern distractions include music apps, maps, messaging, and social media — not just phone calls or texting.
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7. Young Drivers Are Most at Risk
In one study, over 40% of drivers aged 18–24 admitted reading messages while driving, compared with 21% of all drivers.
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Important resources
The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the SAFER initiative in 2018. “SAFER” is an acronym for the 5 most cost effective interventions to reduce alcohol related harm.
A = Advance and enforce drink driving counter measures
Road users who are impaired by alcohol have a significantly higher risk of being involved in a collision. Enacting and enforcing strong drink-driving laws and low blood alcohol concentration limits via sobriety checkpoints and random breath testing will help to turn the tide.
Read the Drunk Driving: A Road Safety Manual for Decision-Makers and Practitioners, created by the FIA Foundation and the WHO.
This manual provides advice and examples that can reduce the prevalence of drink driving and associated road trauma. The manual is aimed at policy-makers and road safety practitioners and draws on experience from countries that have succeeded in achieving and sustaining reductions in alcohol-related road trauma. It includes recommendations for developing and implementing drink driving legislation and advice on how to monitor and evaluate progress.