The Alarming Rise of Distracted Driving During the Pandemic: A Call for Awareness and Action

The Dangers of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving, which includes activities such as texting, eating, and talking with passengers, poses a significant safety threat. Despite the overall decrease in driving during the pandemic, unsafe driving behaviors have increased alarmingly. According to the National Safety Council, motor vehicle deaths rose by 8 percent in 2020, marking the highest percentage increase in 13 years.

Pandemic-Induced False Sense of Security

One in four drivers believes that roads are safer today than before the pandemic. However, the 2021 Travelers Risk Index on distracted driving reveals a growing number of people using their mobile devices unsafely while driving. Behaviors such as texting or emailing, checking social media, taking videos and pictures, and shopping online have all increased significantly.

Work-Related Distractions and Employer Concerns

The pandemic has also led to increased pressure on employees to be always available for work, with 48 percent of business managers expecting frequent responses to work-related calls, texts, or emails. This has resulted in more people answering work-related calls and texts while driving, often citing reasons such as potential emergencies or fear of upsetting their supervisor. Employers are increasingly concerned about liability from distracted driving, with 27 percent indicating significant worry about their liability should an employee be involved in a crash due to distracted driving.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. To help reduce preventable crashes and keep everyone safe on the road, consider utilizing resources such as Travelers Distracted Driving Prevention Materials, National Safety Council, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and OSHA Guidelines for Employers to Reduce Motor Vehicle Crashes.