Distracted Driving Prevention

Impaired driver distracted by coffee and food

How Distracted Are You?

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

Everyday, 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.

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.

Don't Drive Intexticated

Texting while driving is one of the biggest dangers on the road.
According to a 2017 Deloitte study, Americans check their phones an average of 47 times per day. Texting is the most frequently used smartphone function.
Sadly, many people don’t stop this behavior when they’re behind the wheel, with disastrous consequences.

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.

Learn how to prevent distracted driving, get the latest AAA research, review your state's distracted driving laws, and more.

Rhode Island Becomes the Latest State to Go Hands-Free

Effective June 1, 2018, Rhode Island law prohibits drivers from using any hand-held electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. While the state banned texting and driving in 2009, this new law requires drivers to use a hands-free device to make or receive cell phone calls.

Smart tools for smart driving. What kind of devices are allowed? +

· Phone mount

· Wired or Bluetooth® earpiece

· Bluetooth speaker

· Voice-activated smartphone apps

· Bluetooth connection to vehicle

What can't I use while driving? +

Holding any electronic device in your hands is banned. This includes a cell phone, navigation device or any other wireless device. Headphones or other accessories that cover both ears are also not allowed.

Tips to comply with the new law: +

The safest way to comply with the new law is not to use your phone at all while driving. Put it in the trunk or in the back seat to avoid temptation, set it to “do not disturb” and turn off the sound, or activate the “Do Not Disturb while Driving” feature now found on Apple’s operating system.

Rhode Island joins Connecticut and New Jersey in the AAA Northeast territory with state-wide laws prohibiting all use of hand-held cell phone while driving. Note that all states ban any cell phone use by drivers under 18.

What happens if I use a hand-held device while driving? +

If a police officer observes you holding a phone or wireless device, and talking or texting while driving, you will be pulled over and fined up to $100. The offense may be waived for first time offenders by showing proof of purchase of a hands-free device after the violation is issued but prior to paying the fine.

AAA Northeast State Laws

State	Texting Ban	Hand-Held Ban
Rhode Island	All Drivers	All Drivers
Massachusetts	All Drivers	No Hand-Held Ban
Connecticut	All Drivers	All Drivers
New York	All Drivers	All Drivers
New Jersey	All Drivers	All Drivers

The "100 Deadliest Days" for teens begins Memorial Day

Crashes for teen drivers increase significantly during the summer months, and most of those involve distractions behind the wheel. With school out, the summer months have more teen drivers on the roads. And, when combined with other factors, this can be lethal:

94% of teens know they shouldn’t text and drive, but 35% say they do it anyway
Most teens believe they can multi-task, but the teenage brain is not fully developed and is only programmed to do one thing at time.
Nearly 60% of all teen crashes involve distractions behind the wheel
Talking or attending to other passengers in the vehicle is also a top cause of crashes.

Parents need to have frequent conversations about the dangers of distracted driving, establish and enforce family rules, and teach by example whenever you’re in the car together.

For more information on how to help your teen become a safe and responsible driver, visit knowtherisks.teendriving.aaa.org. You’ll find plenty of tips, interactive features, information on insurance and state regulations, and even a parent-teen driving agreement to ensure your new driver stays safe on the road.