Don’t Drive Distracted


AAA is leading the charge to reduce distracted driving on our roads.

Don't Drive Distracted

Distracted driving is a growing problem among motorists. While cell phone use is one of the top reasons, there are many visual and mental distractions that affect your ability to safely operate a vehicle, including the built-in infotainment system, navigation apps, eating and drinking, and other passengers in your car!

AAA is researching how to make vehicles safer, promoting laws to reduce distracted driving behavior, and developing educational campaigns about the dangers. Read on to learn more!

How Distracted Are You?

Impaired driver distracted by coffee and food

"Drivers spend more than half their time focused on things other than driving" — AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

Every day, motorists who read or send a text while driving take their eyes off the road for up to 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the entire length of a football field with your eyes shut. 

Texting - along with other activities like phone calls, eating, drinking, setting your GPS or working your car's entertainment system - takes your mind and your eyes off the road. 


Troubling Numbers
 
Did you know in-vehicle infotainment systems require more visual and cognitive attention?
They can require up to 40 seconds to program navigation.
 
 

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Don’t Drive Intoxicated

Texting while driving is one of the biggest dangers on the road. 
According to a 2021 Asurion study, Americans check their phones an average of 96 times per day, or once every 10 minutes. Texting is the most frequently used smartphone function.

Watch our Public Service Video Announcement about texting while driving. 

 

Do as I say, not as I do.
 
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that almost 90 percent of drivers believe distracted driving is a bigger problem today than ever before.
However, the vast majority of those same drivers report engaging in distracted driving behaviors themselves.  

AAA Reveals Latest Research on Vehicle Infotainment Systems
 
 A recent in-depth study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the University of Utah compared the distractive effect of built-in infotainment systems of vehicles to Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto. While all systems added mental and visual challenges for drivers, the built-in systems were significantly worse in increasing the demands on drivers while behind-the-wheel.  The Apple and Google systems required less time and attention, therefore allowing drivers to focus on the road.

The interface design of built-in systems – particularly ones with additional menus and options on touch screens – requires more attention from the driver, and many of these same systems don’t block available features while the vehicle is in motion.

 

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