MSD Nurses Share Tips and Apps about Staying Safe on the Road
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system — anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.
Texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.
You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.
In 2020, 3,142 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. In 2021, 3,522 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.
Teens can be the best messengers with their peers, so we encourage them to speak up when they see a friend driving while distracted and to share messages on social media that remind their friends, family, and neighbors not to make the deadly choice to drive distracted.
Parents first have to lead by example — by never driving distracted — as well as have a talk with their young driver about distraction and all of the responsibilities that come with driving. Remind your teen driver that a violation of distracted-driving laws could mean a delayed or suspended license.
These apps include features to promote safe driving:
- Drivemode
- OnMyWay
- SAFE 2 SAVE
- TrueMotion Family Safe Driving
- I’m Driving
Click for details these apps and how they work and what they offer so you can decide which one would be right for your family.
With cell phones at everyone’s fingertips it is difficult to fight that urge to answer a phone or return a text real quick while you’re driving familiar roads. It’s important to focus on the road and reduce distractions so that you can be the safest possible. Hopefully one of these resources will help you or your family reduce distractions.