Driver distraction--astonishingly common

A AAA-funded study of driver distraction (reported in the KCStar) found that drivers are distracted 16 percent of the time. What distracts drivers?

Squirming around topped the list, followed by talking, eating and drinking, tuning the radio, grooming, coping with fellow passengers, reading or writing, using a cell phone, and smoking.

At least a quarter of all crashes are caused by driver distraction, [Peter Kissinger, president of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety] said. . . .

AAA officials urged "education, awareness and more research" into distractions, but came out against bans on cell phones in cars, as many jurisdictions are considering. . . .

AAA also recommended that states revise their drivers' manuals to add warnings about distracted driving. Only six states currently do so: Arkansas, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Virginia and Wisconsin.