Scale of Virginia Distracted Driving is a Cause for Concern, Survey Finds

The sheer scale of Virginia distracted driving is a cause for concern, a recent study by State Farm reveals.

The eighth annual State Farm survey on distracted driving was released at the end of last month. It looked at cellphone trends. The study found 91 percent of drivers have a cell phone and half of them use it at the wheel.

In the survey, 82 percent of drivers said talking on a handheld phone while driving was distracting. Nevertheless, 50 percent of those surveyed do it.

About a half of the respondents who talk on a phone at the wheel do so because they see it as an efficient use of their time.

While 95 percent of respondents said texting at the wheel was distracting, 35 percent text while driving. Texting while driving is an offense in Virginia, although non-commercial drivers can make voice calls.

The scale of Virginia distracted driving remains a cause for concern. A recent survey found Virginia mid-way down the table when it comes to distracted driving. Drivers in Mississippi are most likely to use their phones while driving.

Wrecks related to distracted driving are continuing to climb and may account for increases in deaths on the roads of America recorded in recent years, even though smart technology is making cars safer.

Alarm Over the Scale of Distracted Driving in Virginia

Virginia State Police pulled few punches in a recent news report on 5 WCYB. Sergeant Mike Willis of Virginia State Police said the problem is reaching epidemic proportions and more distracted drivers are on the roads than ever before.

State Farm suggested ever-fragmented lives and busy schedules are fueling the distracted driving problem.

Chris Mullen, Director of Technology Research at State Farms, said:

“Today’s drivers are faced with an ever-growing number of demands on their attention that may distract them from the critical task of driving. Every day we make choices about the risks we are willing to take when behind the wheel.”

As well as mobile phone use, the survey considered other distractions. About 93 percent of respondents reported talking with passengers as a source of distraction, while 23 percent reported attending to a child and 21 percent to a pet while driving.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a crash involving a distracted driver our Virginia car accident injury team would like to talk to you. Call us at (757) 455-0077.