On the road, a momentary lapse in attention can be deadly. Distracted driving killed 3,208 people in the United States in 2024 and injured 315,167 others, including pedestrians, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). But experts with the U.S Department of Transportation say the fatalities may realistically exceed 10,000 annually. The Dutchess County Transportation Council attributes at least 20% of the county’s 200 traffic deaths between 2014 and 2023 to inattentive driving.
Any distraction that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your mind off driving is dangerous. Eating, rubbernecking, and applying makeup are common culprits, but cellphone use is widely considered the leading cause of distracted driving. Nearly one-third of Americans admit to texting, calling, checking emails — even surfing the web — while behind the wheel. The NHTSA reports that looking at a mobile device for five seconds at 55 mph is like driving the length of a football field blindfolded, increasing the risk of a crash by 240%.
Many drivers falsely believe they can bypass these dangers by using hands-free technology. Operating vehicles while employing voice-activated GPS or a single earpiece to stay connected is legal in New York and nationwide, but it is not safe.
An October 2024 systemic review in the “Journal of Transportation Research” showed the use of such devices is just as risky as handheld cellphones. A phone call through a vehicle’s Bluetooth system, for example, can cause “inattentional blindness,” a condition in which drivers may look directly at a pedestrian or another hazard but fail to register what they are seeing or respond in time. Researchers have found that the distraction can linger for up to 30 seconds after a call ends, a phenomenon known as the “hangover effect.” As a result, a driver who finishes a hands-free call at a red light may still be mentally distracted after the light turns green, increasing the risk of a crash.
In 2001, New York was the first state to ban the use of portable electronic devices while driving. Texting, tapping, reading, and scrolling are primary offenses; in fact, simply holding a cell phone while operating a vehicle is illegal. Over 1,775 tickets were issued for distracted driving in April as part of a statewide initiative, “Put the Phone Away or Pay.” New York drivers face a $50 to $200 fine and five points off for a first offense. (Penalties jump to $450 for repeat offenders.)
The vast majority of distracted driving accidents are preventable by taking a few simple steps. Before starting the car, adjust the navigation, stereo, and climate control. Put your cell phone on “do not disturb” or driving focus, keep it out of reach (like in a bag in the backseat), or simply turn it off. For long trips, set auto-replies for common contacts.
If you must call or text, pull over safely and park. You can also delegate phone, music, and navigation tasks to a front-seat passenger. And if you are a passenger, speak up immediately if the driver is distracted by a device: Your voice can prevent a tragic accident.
Every major auto insurer offers a usage-based program: A smartphone app is used to monitor risky behaviors like handheld cellphone use in order to estimate the driver’s crash risk. Safer drivers may qualify for discounted insurance rates.
Dr. Mary Jenkins, a contributor to the Herald and member of its board of directors, retired after nearly 40 years as a family practice physician in New York state.
Thank you for this very important piece, but please let’s not refer to and let people continue to think of the damage that results from distracted driving — to another driver, a pedestrian, or a cyclist — as an “accident.” It is not!
Thanks for the cautions, M.J.,
‘Bout driver transgressions today.
Your words carry over;
I’ll switch my hangover
To home, where it’s safer to play…