A new Global Driving Study by Liberty Mutual Insurance has revealed the most distracted drivers on the road. Joining us is Mike Sample, the Lead Driving Safety Expert at Liberty Mutual.
So, who are the most distracted drivers? Mike tells us that the study showed that nearly 90% of Millennials will admit to being distracted while they are driving. While that is the overall message, not all of us are innocent. Through the study, Liberty Mutual also identified that 67% of the Americans they surveyed admitted to using their phone while behind the wheel.
Millennials are the worst offenders of distracted driving and phone use partly because they have grown up in the global tech culture. The behavior of using their phone all the time everyday follows them behind the wheel as they continue to get older.
Mike goes onto explain how cognitive distraction can occur when our mind wanders from driving, so we really want to present in the car. It is also important not to rush and to leave yourself some extra time to get where you are going.
There are a couple of key things when it comes to tips to stay safe on the road. Notifications on your phone can be a distraction to any driver, so we need to be mindful and work on ignoring those notifications. Consider using the “Do Not Disturb” feature, or even put your phone in the glove box. If you do need to make a call, pull over safely, find a good spot to park, and then use your phone.
When using your phone as a GPS, put in the destination while you are parked and then have your phone on the dash so you can look up into it and still see your surroundings.
Additional information can be found at libertymutual.com/safedriving.