Are You Disconnected Behind the Wheel?

Do as I say, not as I do. That seems to be the case for most motorists when it comes to distracted driving.   

According to the latest traffic safety culture survey conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than eight in ten drivers believe it’s completely unacceptable to text or email behind the wheel. But when it comes to refraining from engaging in this risky behavior, more than a third admitted to reading messages while driving and more than a quarter reported sending them in the previous 30 days.   

No pun intended, but clearly there’s a disconnect here. Nearly nine in ten or 88% of survey respondents said distracted drivers are a somewhat or much bigger problem today than compared to three years ago when the AAA Foundation first began surveying motorists. Additionally, the threat perceived from distracted driving also remains high, with 88.7% of licensed drivers 16 years of age and older saying drivers talking on cell phones pose a somewhat or very serious threat to their personal safety. When asked about motorists who text/email or check social media, licensed drivers reported feeling an even bigger danger with 96.1% and 94.7%, respectively, indicating these behaviors constitute a somewhat or very serious threat.   

Two-thirds or 67% of licensed drivers also expressed that the use of hand-held cell phones is somewhat or completely unacceptable. Meanwhile, the disapproval for texting and emailing is nearly universal with 94.4 percent saying it’s somewhat or completely unacceptable for a driver to text or email behind the wheel.   

However, the latest survey findings clearly confirm that what we perceive as threats and view as socially unacceptable don’t mesh with our behavior on the road. A percentage nearly identical (67.3%) to the proportion of drivers who disapprove of hand-held cell phones admitted to talking on the phone -- hand-held or hands-free -- while driving in the past 30 days. And over a quarter (27.9%) said this happens fairly often or regularly.   

When it comes to texting and emailing, more than a third of licensed drivers (34.7%) admitted to reading messages in the past 30 days, with 7.7% doing it fairly often or regularly. As for sending a text while driving, a quarter (25.8%) admitted to the practice with 5.5% doing fairly often or regularly.   

If you’re a member of the do as I say, not as I do club, what’s it going to take to get you to focus solely on driving? New Jersey bans talking on hand-held phones and texting while driving and for some that has prompted compliance. But for those of you who have migrated to hands-free devices such as headsets or onboard systems, bear in mind that hands-free isn’t risk-free due to the effects of cognitive distraction.  (I know hands-free talking isn’t against the law, but public policy hasn’t kept pace with the science.) In a recent AAA Foundation study of this issue, these effects included suppressed brain activity, missed visual cues, slowed reaction times, subjective feelings of stress, and reduced visual scanning or tunnel vision.  

Maybe when the increased fines take effect next July, you’ll take notice. That’s right, no longer will convicted offenders in New Jersey pay $100, plus court costs and fees, for the privilege of yakking or texting while driving. Instead, the fines will range from $200-$400 for a first offense, $400-$600 for a second offense and between $600 and $800 for a third and subsequent offense. Plus, a three-time violation will also earn the driver a 90-day license suspension.  

But I’m not sure increased fines will do it either. For some drivers only the unthinkable will get their attention. Don’t be that person who winds up injuring or killing yourself, your passengers and/or others on the road simply because you had to check your messages or answer that call. No one can safely text or talk on the phone while driving. You know it and the research confirms it.