Eating While Driving – Is it Legal?
Eating while driving is a problem all around the country, whether it is done out of convenience or to save time. Every meal eaten while driving offers a risk, but some meals are more distracting than others. Hot coffee, tacos, hamburgers, fried chicken, jelly doughnuts, and chocolate are among the top 10 items to avoid...
Eating While Driving – Is it Legal? Continue reading…
Is Drowsy Driving Worse Than Drunk Driving?
Drowsy driving is the combination of driving when sleepy and usually happens when a driver has not slept enough. This can be a result of an untreated sleep disorder or shift work that is taxing on one’s body. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can also cause drowsiness, as well as alcohol. Causes of Drowsy Driving Alcohol:...
Is Drowsy Driving Worse Than Drunk Driving? Continue reading…When a distracted driving crash is not an accident
I have seen the extensive damage and loss caused by even one distracted driving crash. "I'm so sorry" or " I wish I wouldn’t have been on my cellphone" has no purposeful meaning once the damage is done. There is no going back. Sue Lee was a skilled seamstress at a local clothing manufacturer. Her...
When a distracted driving crash is not an accident Continue reading…Years after distracted driver crash, brain injury lingers
Anthony is in his mid-50's. He is an entrepreneur with an MBA, and a city council member with a long history of political campaign work. He and his husband, a local surgeon, were well-known for their civic engagement— and their big annual holiday party. Everything changed in an instant. Distracted driver crash in Washington It...
Years after distracted driver crash, brain injury lingers Continue reading…Truckers must fight inattentional blindness
Since the 1990s, scientific studies on visual perception have demonstrated that people's expectations, and their ability to focus, affects what they see. It's called "inattentional blindness", and it's important for drivers to be aware of it - particularly professional drivers like truckers. Distracted driving means that a driver is not paying full attention to the...
Truckers must fight inattentional blindness Continue reading…Why does BMW want drivers to be (even more) distracted?
BMW is integrating Skype for Business into new cars. The features will be integrated into the new BMW series in parts of Europe. Other markets—including the U.S.— should see it soon. "Microsoft Exchange will also integrate calendars, to-do lists and contacts using the car's voice and navigation systems," according to the company's press release. Here's...
Why does BMW want drivers to be (even more) distracted? Continue reading…What will stop texting and driving? Jail time.
The most effective way to stop drivers from texting might be the threat of criminal charges. Texting while driving is illegal in 46 states. (Text messages are not the sole culprit—there are dozens of possible distractions on your smartphone—but only 16 states ban all hand-held devices for drivers.)* You don't need statistics to know that...
What will stop texting and driving? Jail time. Continue reading…New Washington State distracted driving law: what you need to know
A decade ago, the Washington State distracted driving law was passed - and became one of the first state laws regulating drivers' cell phone use. Since then, mobile devices have changed dramatically—and distracted driving has become an even bigger problem. On May 16, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5389: a new, more...
New Washington State distracted driving law: what you need to know Continue reading…What distracted driving opponents can (and can’t) learn from drunk driving
Guess when the first drunk driving law was enacted? Back in 1910. That was surprising to me. 100+ years after this problem was identified, about ten thousand people will die in an alcohol-related crash in the U.S. this year. The early laws prohibited driving while intoxicated, but there was no metric, no way to test,...
What distracted driving opponents can (and can’t) learn from drunk driving Continue reading…What are we going to do about fatal distracted driving crashes?
Just a couple of decades ago, alcohol was a factor in nearly half of all fatal crashes in the U.S. Since then, social and legal changes have sliced that number in half. Even thought it is still far too many senseless deaths, it is a lot of progress. We looked at lessons from...
What are we going to do about fatal distracted driving crashes? Continue reading…Lawmakers searching for practical solution to distracted driving
Distracted driving is a serious issue on the roadways of Washington, as well as across our country. There are basically 3 forms of distracted driving: visual, cognitive, and manual. Visual distraction occurs when the driver is looking at anything except the road, i.e. their cellphone. Cognitive distraction is when the driver's mind isn't on the...
Lawmakers searching for practical solution to distracted driving Continue reading…A study on distracted driving enforcement in Washington
The University of Washington Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center conducted a study on distracted driving enforcement. Using focus groups of police officers from King County, Whatcom County, and Spokane County, researchers identified some common problems, including: distracted driving laws are difficult to enforce. The study participants proposed a solution. Laws should prohibit all forms...
A study on distracted driving enforcement in Washington Continue reading…