Lesley – Page 3

DISTRACTED DRIVING

Distracted driving joins alcohol and speeding as a leading cause of injury and fatal collisions in the United States. It involves any activity that diverts a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. Cell phone use is among the most dangerous because the behavior involves taking a driver’s hands off the wheel (manual distraction), eyes off the road (visual distraction), and mind off of driving (cognitive distraction).

FOLLOW THE RESEARCH

TREDS has conducted studies of distracted driving behaviors to develop interventions and recommend policies to reduce distracted driving.

2011 Survey – Distracted Driving Behaviors of San Diego County College Students

2013 Survey – Distracted Driving Behaviors of San Diego County Adults

A review of the literature with summaries of distracted driving research conducted nationally can be found on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Safety Council websites.

NHTSA – Distraction.gov

National Safety Council

Phone:

(858) 534-8386

treds.ucsd.edu/contact

Location

UC San Diego Family Medicine and Public Health 9500 Gilman Drive #8011 La Jolla, CA 92093-0811

What Can You Do- Distracted Driving

DISTRACTED DRIVING

WHAT CAN YOU DO

Cell phone use is like an addiction – people know it is dangerous, but can’t resist the behavior. Before starting a trip, reduce the temptation to use your phone while driving by adopting some of these practices:

Turn off or silence the phone
Put the phone out of reach
Use a phone app to refuse calls and texts
Set up a voicemail message that says “I don’t talk or text while driving”
Discourage others from calling or texting you while you are driving
Ask passengers to manage your phone
Review or program maps before starting your trip

How you can influence others:

Don’t call or text others while they are driving
End conversations received from callers who are driving
As a passenger, request phone-free driving
Model safe driving behaviors for passengers
Encourage your employer to develop a policy that prohibits cell phone use while driving
Support laws and community action

View Just Drive – Take Action Against Distraction Video:

Phone:

(858) 534-8386

treds.ucsd.edu/contact

Location

UC San Diego Family Medicine and Public Health 9500 Gilman Drive #8011 La Jolla, CA 92093-0811