Change Your Message!

According to the National Safety Council, in 2008 1.6 million crashes were attributable to handheld and hands-free cell phone use and texting (28% of all crashes that year). What’s even more disturbing is that the vast majority of these were not caused by drivers who were texting (only 3%).

Why are cell phones present in so many crashes? Taking your eyes off the road to see who’s calling, dialing or looking up a number is certainly part of the issue. Taking your hands off the wheel to manipulate the device is another root cause- no doubt about it. But equal to these is the issue of reduced attention that occurs when you are engaged in a phone conversation. Awareness is dulled, attention to driving competes with the conversation and your reaction times are significantly reduced as well- all from conducting a remote phone conversation. The duration of calls, which can span large portions of the drive, make the likelihood of this distraction being present during the moment when a driver needs their full awareness and ability to react quickly, high.

Over 30 studies support the fact that there is not a significant difference in risk level between hands free and handheld phone conversations (see a full report here). It’s the distraction of the mind that is significant and what has been labeled ‘inattention blindness’; which simply put is looking straight ahead but not perceiving what is in front of you (Learn more about inattention blindness). Therefore, the only practical way to reduce your risk is to not use your phone while you drive.

Like with drunk driving or any other form of impaired driving, laws won’t do all of the work to reduce injuries and deaths related to this one distraction. The bottom line is this: the culture of distracted driving won’t change unless WE change how we drive. Every time you see a driver using a cell phone it sends the message to all that this call or text outweighs the safety of every child or adult in front of their vehicle.

So how do I Change My Message? It’s easy- simply take the pressure away to use your cell phone if you are driving. Here’s how:

1) Change the busy message on your cell phone to something like this, “Hi, you’ve reached (me) and I’m either busy or driving right now. Please leave a message and take my advice, don’t drive distracted.”

2) Tell all of your contacts that might call your cell phone that you decided to take a personal stand against distracted driving, so if they call you when you are driving you will call them back as soon as you can pull over or have reached your destination.

Now just drive! If your phone makes a noise and you think it might be important, find a safe place to pull off the road and respond to it. Otherwise, think about your new voicemail message and know that the person calling you will understand that you are driving and may not call them back until later. You can also think about the message you are sending to other drivers by concentrating on your driving, and the difference your choice is making in the world!

What about other drivers? Change takes time but until there are more laws that address the issue of distracted driving we have to make it socially unacceptable- in much the way smoking has become. Also, when you know you are talking to another person who is driving, do the right thing for their safety: tell them to call you back when they have stopped.

You can also order one of our decals that proudly proclaims: “I changed my message” to let other drivers know that you are making the commitment to driver without this distraction. The more of these that people see in traffic, the more the subject will be talked about and shared and the movement will catch on.

What are the benefits? Look at these benefits for Businesses, Schools, Parents, Groups and Organizations and Individuals.

This message brought to you by: Performance Auto

Looking for a free, personalized Pledge to end your own distracted driving? Request one here!