Driving Blind in Boston  

Last week I was a chaperone on my son's field trip to Plimoth Plantation.  While passing the time on the bus ride through Boston during the morning commute, one of the other parents commented on how many people were on their cell phones.  So we started to count. 

I could count the people that were NOT texting, emailing or talking on one hand.  I have to admit I was not surprised at the results, but it was eye opening to see how common it really is.  When you look at the statistics, it makes sense.  80% of accidents are caused by distracted drivers.  Consider these stats for the most common driver distractions:

Texting takes our attention away for 4.6 seconds, making us 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash.  The equivalent of that time span is like driving 55 mph the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

Reaching for that bottle of water you dropped??...9 times more likely to have an accident.

Reading that report from work??.... 4 times more likely to have an accident

This one is my favorite...personal grooming while driving increases the odds of an accident by 3 times.

We are all guilty of some sort of distracted driving - myself included.  Some food for thought to increase the odds of getting to your destination safe. 

Regards,

Edward P. Hackett, CIC CRM

Vice-President