Everyone’s probably been guilty of a form of distracted driving at some point in their lives – whether it’s answering a phone call while driving or changing the radio, we’ve all looked away from the road for a split second. However, a new survey about distracted driving, conducted by Erie Insurance, reveals that some of the things that people are doing from behind the wheel are much crazier — not to mention much more dangerous — than just adjusting the temperature.
Infographic Reveals Unexpected Distracted Driver Behaviors
Following the conclusion of the study, Erie Insurance published an infographic outlining some of the behaviors that drivers reported doing while operating a motor vehicle. These behaviors are included in the list below.
- Taking selfies
- Reading
- Texting
- Styling hair
- Applying makeup
- Smoking
- Singing
- Dancing
- Curling eyelashes
- Putting in contact lenses
- Brushing teeth or flossing
- Changing clothes
- Changing drivers
- Engaging in a public display of affection
- Going to the bathroom
Of the above behaviors, singing and dancing from behind the wheel were the most common, with 43 percent of drivers saying that they’ve done one or both. The next most common dangerous types of distracted driving were texting and smoking, to which 30 percent of drivers admitted. The least common behaviors in which drivers participated were eyelash curling and putting in contacts. Shockingly, one person in the study even reported seeing a person playing a guitar and singing while driving!
The Prevalence of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving may be more common than you think, and the study revealed that distracted driving — in a variety of forms — happens every day. Nine percent of drivers have engaged in a type of distracted driving behavior in the past day, 44 percent in the past month, and 42 percent of drivers fully admit to engaging in distracted driving behavior.
While the actions named above — like going to the bathroom or flossing — may make you chuckle a bit about the ridiculousness of performing such things while driving, the truth is, distracted driving is incredibly dangerous. In 2013, 424,000 people were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver, and 3,154 people were killed.
When Distracted Driving Causes a Car Accident, Seek Legal Help
Distracted driving is a common cause of car accidents. If a distracted driver caused a car accident that resulted in injuries, call the Newtown car accident lawyers at Cordisco & Saile LLC. You can find more information about car accidents and legal remedies on our blog, or you can call us today to learn more at 215-642-2335.
