It’s time to admit the painful truth- highways are getting deadlier, and fatalities are on the rise again — 46,000 in the U.S alone, an increase of 22% in 2022.
How many of those deaths involved distracted driving?
The NHTSA defines distracted driving as any activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from the primary task of driving. This includes activities such as texting, talking on the phone, eating, and adjusting the radio or GPS. These distractions can be visual, manual, or cognitive and can significantly impair a driver’s ability to react to changing road conditions.
Distracted driving has become one of the fastest-growing safety concerns,
The National Distracted Driving Coalition estimates the actual numbers due to distracted driving lie between 25% to 30%, but no one can say for sure. Furthermore, according to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the annual cost of road accidents, just in the United States, stands at about $870 billion each year, excluding the costs of serious injury or death, with a quarter of those accidents estimated to be related to the use of mobile phones while driving.
Our smartphone addiction – some deadly numbers
Our smartphone addiction is a deadly phenomenon responsible for a staggering amount of fatalities and life-changing injuries caused by distracted drivers.
A recent report by National Distracted Driving Coalition includes 2022 survey results from the Travelers insurance company, showing how deep and disturbing is our smartphone addiction:
- 77% said they used their phone while driving
- 74% used cellphone maps
- 56% read a text or email
- 27% updated or checked social media
- 19% — 1 in 5 — shopped online while driving.
Long-run solutions to tackle distracted driving
These sobering statistics highlight the need for a concentrated effort to combat distracted driving and make our roads safer.
Here are some of the key possible solutions available to governments and communities to tackle distracted driving:
Regulation plays a critical role in addressing distracted driving, particularly when it comes to implementing technology solutions to reduce the risks associated with this behavior.
Enforcement is another key to addressing distracted driving. Police officers may issue citations or fines to drivers who are caught engaging in distracting behavior.
Public awareness campaigns are also an important part of the national distracted driving effort. Through advertisements, social media, and community outreach programs, the public can be educated about the risks associated with distracted driving.
Finally, education is a key component in addressing distracted driving. Drivers must be taught the importance of staying focused while behind the wheel. This education can come in the form of driver’s education courses, community outreach programs, and workplace safety programs. By educating drivers about the dangers of distracted driving, we can create a culture that values safety and encourages responsible driving.
However, this is just a small fraction of the problem as implementing regulations is a gradual process that demands resources for enforcement, not forgetting the need for long-term education. These are slow and profound processes that take time, and in this instance, time means more casualties, injured people, and preventable suffering. Therefore, how can you address the urgent and current situation?
There is an immediate and effective solution
We at SaverOne are committed to the mission of saving lives and preventing vehicle accidents caused by mobile usage during driving. With an innovative technological solution, we can prevent the driver from accessing distracting applications while driving, creating a safer driving environment.
Harnessing technology to address one of the burning road safety frontiers of our time.
SaverOne’s system is installed in vehicles to provide a solution to the problem of driver distraction, as a result of drivers using distracting applications on their mobile phone while driving, in a way that endangers their safety and the safety of their passengers.
SaverOne’s technology specifically recognizes the driver area in the vehicle and prevents the driver from accessing distracting applications such as messaging, while allowing others (navigation as an example), without user intervention or consent, creating a safer driving environment.
SaverOne’s primary target markets include commercial and private vehicle fleets that are interested in reducing potential damages and significant costs, vehicle manufacturers that are interested in integrating safety solutions into their vehicles, and insurance and leasing companies. SaverOne initially addresses car fleets with a focus on the Israeli, European and US markets, as well as other markets around the world.
As more and more companies and organizations implement SaverOne’s technology into their fleets, they have been experiencing significant improvement in their employee’s driving culture and the immediate impact on their safety.
By installing SaverOne, organizations play a crucial role in reducing distracted driving, promoting their employee’s safety and investing in safer roads for all.
Significant regulation milestone
The EU Regulatory Committee on Driver Distraction is taking a proactive approach to tackle the issue of driver distraction. The committee aims to promote regulations that will oblige original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to integrate solutions into vehicle systems that will tackle driver distraction.
We will start noticing this transition in July 2024, when all new vehicle models launched in the EU will be required to have these solutions integrated into their systems. From July 2026, the integration of driver distraction systems will become a requirement for all new vehicles sold in the EU. This means that any vehicle sold in the EU after that date will need to have these solutions integrated into their systems.
Time to take the wheel and steer toward a safer future by prioritizing distracted driving across all fronts
The time is now! Let’s focus on one of the most pressing safety issues on our roads today. Distracted driving is a serious problem that puts everyone at risk. By addressing this issue through technology, legislation, enforcement, public awareness, education, and personal responsibility, we can create safer roads for everyone. Remember, when you’re behind the wheel, put your phone down and focus on the road. It could save a life.
