80% of crashes involve distracted driving

Yes, distracted driving does cause crashes--lots of them. From Claire Martin of MSN Autos:
In a survey by GMAC Insurance of more than 5,000 drivers, 8 percent admitted to changing clothes while their cars were in gear and 62 percent copped to eating. Other studies have shown that people routinely apply makeup, shave, read magazines and books, and even insert their contact lenses while in the drivers' seat. . . .

NHTSA, along with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, installed cameras and sensors in 100 cars for a year to observe participants' behavior in a natural setting. In their analysis of 42,300 hours of driving data, researchers discovered that 80 percent of crashes involved driver distraction and that inattentive drivers were two to three times more likely to be involved in accidents when they were engaged in tasks such as applying makeup, dialing a phone or reading. . . .

A recent study of cell-phone use while driving, published in the journal Brain Research, helps explain why. When the brain is asked to tackle two tasks at once, it gives priority to the more deeply ingrained skill. Since we learn to talk before we learn to drive, our brain power goes into the conversation instead of onto the road, causing us to miss visual cues and experience impaired peripheral vision and coordination. Researchers suggest that the same holds true for other distracting activities, which means that magazine-reading, mascara-applying and toddler-disciplining drivers are very likely at the same risk of accidents as cell phone users.
A point to add: The safety improvements in automobiles (automobile bodies that absorb the forces of impact, air bags, etc.) partially insulate those inside the automobile from the consequences of distracted driving.

In fact a phenomenon known as risk compensation means that drivers are more likely to engage in these risky behaviors precisely because they know that features of the automobile are giving them greater protection.

The overall results is that safer automobile design gives automobile occupants a greater cushion of safety, but more risky behavior by drivers--including distracted driving and simply driving faster--takes some of the safety gains back.

However, those outside the automobile--including bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists--face only the increase in risky behavior and don't get the benefit of the safety features.

That may be one reason the risk of injury and death for automobile occupants has been going down faster than the same risk for bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists.

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