
Distracted Driving is Dangerous Business
You’ve seen the commercials showing the cut-off phrases of a text that were a person’s last words before perishing in an auto accident. They make you feel uneasy and saddened. And they are real.
In 2011, 3,331 people were killed and an additional 387,000 people sustained injuries in auto-related accidents involving a driver who was distracted.*
Many auto-related accidents are reported to the Habitat for Humanity Affiliate Insurance Program each year. The majority of the accidents could have been prevented had the driver been focused on safe driving practices and not other things, such as:
· Texting
· Using a cell phone, smartphone or music device
· Eating and drinking
· Talking to passengers
· Grooming or putting on makeup
· Reading directions
· Using a navigation system/GPS
· Changing a radio station or CD
The good news is that affiliates across the country are beginning to develop written policies on distracted driving. We encourage all affiliates to consider developing a similar policy in addition to providing safe-driver training.
Download this sample Distracted Driver Policy.
For more information and resources, please visit the Official US Government Website for Distracted Driving: http://www.distraction.gov/. Additionally, you may contact the Habitat for Humanity Affiliate Insurance Program at 888.553.9002, or HFHI U.S. Safety Specialist, Don Hartle, at 404.420.6730 with any questions or safety tips. Thank you for your dedication to safety!
*According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)