What Can Prevent 3,000+ Deaths A Year? Why Texting and Driving Hurts Everyone.

Texting and driving is a dangerous and growing problem on our roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving causes over 3,000 deaths and 450,000 injuries each year in the United States alone. Of those distractions, cell phone use, specifically texting, is one of the most common and deadly.

Texting while driving is particularly dangerous because it involves three types of distractions: visual, manual, and cognitive. When a driver texts, they take their eyes off the road, their hands off the wheel, and their mind off of driving. This increases the risk of a crash by up to 23 times, making it even more dangerous than drinking and driving.

One of the reasons for the increase in texting and driving is the growing prevalence of smartphones. These devices have become an integral part of our daily lives, making it difficult for many people to put them down, even when behind the wheel. Additionally, many people believe that they can multitask and safely text while driving, despite evidence to the contrary.

To combat this problem, many states have implemented laws banning or restricting the use of cell phones while driving. However, enforcing these laws can be difficult, as it can be challenging for law enforcement to tell whether a driver is texting or using their phone for another purpose.

This is where telematics comes in. Telematics is a technology that uses GPS and other sensors to track and monitor vehicles. It can be used to detect and prevent distracted driving by detecting when a driver is using their phone while behind the wheel.

One way telematics can be used to detect distracted driving is through the use of a device that is plugged into the vehicle's OBD-II port. This device can detect when a driver is using their phone and can send an alert to the driver, reminding them to put their phone away. It can also send an alert to a parent or employer, who can then take action if necessary.

Another way telematics can be used to detect distracted driving is through the use of an app that runs on the driver's smartphone. This app can detect when the phone is being used while the vehicle is in motion and can send an alert to the driver, reminding them to put their phone away. It can also send an alert to a parent or employer, who can then take action if necessary.

Telematics can also be used to monitor a driver's behavior, such as their speed and braking patterns, and can be used to detect other dangerous behaviors, such as aggressive driving or drowsy driving. This information can be used to provide feedback to the driver, helping them improve their driving habits and reduce the risk of a crash.

In conclusion, the use of telematics is a powerful tool that can be used to detect and prevent distracted driving, specifically texting and driving. It can be used to detect when a driver is using their phone while behind the wheel and can send alerts to remind them to put their phone away. It can also be used to monitor a driver's behavior and provide feedback to help them improve their driving habits. Telematics is an important technology that can save lives and reduce injuries on our roads.