Distractions - they're everywhere, but what happens when you're the one who's distracted and you're behind the wheel? In 2013, 3,154 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.
April is dedicated to educating drivers about the dangers of this deadly epidemic.
Distracted driving includes texting, eating and drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, reading, adjusting your music, and a long list of others. There are three main types of distractions: visual, manual, and cognitive. When a driver is using a cell phone, all three of these become affected, making it the most unsafe situation for drivers, passengers, and others outside of the vehicle.
We understand that even navigation apps on a mobile device can be a distraction, which is why driver safety is at the heart of the design of our CoPilot navigation apps. CoPilot is designed specifically to help people keep their eyes on the road and not on the screen. We make sure the maps are decluttered and provide only the necessary information on the screen. The screen instructions are displayed large enough to be viewed from a distance and are also read out loud as voice-guided directions.
We urge you to review and follow these tips to reduce driver distractions while using mobile navigation in a car:
1. Always enter your destination location into your device prior to beginning the route. If your plans change mid-trip and you need to edit the destination, pull over to a rest stop or parking lot to re-enter the data.
2. Position your navigation device in a secure and visible location.
3. Keep your radio at a low volume so you are able to clearly hear the voice-guided directions.
At ALK, we also offer a navigation solution to help reduce driver distractions in the trucking industry. By entering vehicle dimensions or attributes such as load type, weight and vehicle size, into CoPilot Truck prior to departure, drivers are guided along the safest routes, helping to avoid dangerous situations like bridge strikes or driving on roads with weight limits.
Take a moment to look into the facts & statistics on the consequences of distracted driving and make your pledge to become a more attentive and safe driver today.
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