Distracted Driving BBSLawOffices

NHTSA Releases New Distracted Driving Guidelines

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NHTSA, released guidelines encouraging portable and aftermarket device manufacturers to produce products that help prevent distracted driving.

In a recent survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, which focused on driving habits, 34.7 percent of drivers reported reading a text or email messages while driving, and 25.8 percent of drivers reported typing or sending text or email messages while driving.  Additionally, 67.1 percent of drivers reported talking on a cell phone (of any kind, including while using a wireless connection and speaker phone) while driving.  This data shows that many drivers continue to engage in visual and manual distraction activities with their portable devices while driving.  This is concerning because research by NHTSA and others suggests that visual and manual manipulation of devices while driving dramatically increases crash risk. Last month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released guidelines encouraging portable and aftermarket device manufacturers to produce products that help prevent distracted driving.

This is the second phase of the NHTSA’s voluntary guidelines aimed at addressing the growing issue of driver distraction on roadways throughout the U.S. The first phase focused on devices built into vehicles during the manufacturing process.

Manufacturers are encouraged to incorporate features into their devices that reduce driver distraction. The NHTSA recommends features such as a simplified Driver Mode and pairing capabilities, which link the device to onboard infotainment systems, to help keep drivers focused on task of driving.

Each day distracted driving kills eight people and injures another 1,161. The NHTSA hopes that by working directly with device manufactures, it can help cut distractions available to drivers who are reluctant to put down their devices.

In addition to using simplified, non-distracting devices, the NHTSA says drivers can reduce distraction by:

  • Putting away cellphones when driving
  • Programing GPS systems with intended destinations before starting out on your route
  • Never Facetime, Snapchat or create videos while driving
  • Never take selfies or pictures while driving
  • Always wearing a seatbelt

The NHTSA also suggests that passengers can help reduce driver distraction by offering to send a text or make a call for the driver so he or she is not distracted and dedicating their full attention to safe driving.

Distracted driving is a serious threat to all drivers and can lead to devastating injuries and even death. The car crash lawyers at Brunson, Barnett and Sherrer, PC can help you fight for the justice and the compensation you deserve if you have been injured or lost a loved one because of a distracted driver.

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