{"id":1478,"date":"2013-04-12T11:49:12","date_gmt":"2013-04-12T11:49:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/healyscanlon.devser.net\/?p=1478"},"modified":"2019-11-08T12:27:47","modified_gmt":"2019-11-08T12:27:47","slug":"study-lists-the-driving-distractions-that-lead-to-fatal-crashes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healyscanlon.com\/study-lists-the-driving-distractions-that-lead-to-fatal-crashes\/","title":{"rendered":"Study lists the driving distractions that lead to fatal crashes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Distracted driving is a huge problem in Chicago and throughout the state. Despite laws against texting or using a handheld cellphone while driving, these distractions are still responsible for countless car accidents and injuries.<\/p>\n

But it is important to remember that cellphones are not the only source of driver distraction. According to one recent study, they’re not even the most frequent source of distraction that leads to an accident. Research shows that the culprit in the highest percentage of fatal\u00a0distracted driving accidents\u00a0<\/a>is daydreaming.<\/p>\n

The research was conducted by an insurance company based in Pennsylvania. Researchers looked at data from more than 65,000 car accident fatalities logged in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System. This national database is maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and accident fatality reports are submitted by law enforcement agencies.<\/p>\n

According to the study results, daydreaming or being “lost in thought” was responsible for 62 percent of distractions leading to fatal car accidents. Cellphone use came in second and accounted for 12 percent of fatal crashes.<\/p>\n

Have you ever driven by a crash site and slowed down because you just couldn’t help but take a look? Or, have you taken your eyes off the road to check out an attractive pedestrian? Lots of people do it, and “rubbernecking” at a person, object or event outside the car reportedly contributed to 7 percent of fatal accidents.<\/p>\n

Surprisingly, 5 percent of fatal car accidents were attributed to distractions stemming from talking to or looking at other passengers in the vehicle. The remaining distractions listed, which each accounted for 1-2 percent of crash fatalities were things like:<\/p>\n