Distracted Driving A Major Issue On Today’s Roadways
Kelli Steil shows off the special goggles and a walking challenge to help people understand what it’s like to drive distracted.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – With many different things vying for a driver’s attention today, distracted driving has become an issue law enforcement and insurance companies want to make people aware of.
According to Distraction.gov, ten percent of all drivers 15 to 19 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crashes. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted at the time of the crashes.
Drivers in their 20’s are 23 percent of drivers in all fatal crashes, but are 27 percent of the distracted drivers and 38 percent of the distracted drivers who were using cell phones in fatal crashes.
A 2015 Erie Insurance distracted driving survey reported that drivers do all sorts of dangerous things behind the wheel, including brushing teeth and changing clothes. The survey also found that one-third of drivers admitted to texting while driving, and three-quarters saying they’ve seen others do it.
In Oskaloosa, Kelli Steil, of Kelli Steil State Farm, decided that she wanted to help highlight the problem of driving while distracted.
With the purchase of special goggles and a floor mat, users are able to simulate the difficulty of navigating a roadway while driving distracted.
Steil plans to unveil the new tool at the Oskaloosa Area Chamber and Development Golf Tournament on Friday.
Eventually, Steil hopes to see the tool used to help young drivers understand the importance of not driving while distracted.
