How Technology Can Keep You Safe From Distracted Drivers

Everyone knows that distracted driving leads to crashes on the road. But did you know that in 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that 3,142 lives were lost due to distracted driving? April is Distracted Driving Awareness month, and there are steps we can all take to reduce distractions on the road so everyone can reach their destination safely.

Distracted driving refers to any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road. Among the most common distractions is cell phone use. In fact, at 55 miles per hour, sending or reading a text is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

There are additional distractions on the road that a driver can’t control, such as other drivers’ behaviors, weather, and other environmental impacts. In many cases, a vehicle’s technology can help keep everyone safe.

Safety technologies keep a driver’s attention on the road and provide support for unexpected situations. These solutions are proven to increase safety for motorists, passengers, and pedestrians.

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) alerts drivers of a dangerous situation with audio, visual, or haptic alarms. The system will also automatically apply brakes when necessary to avoid a crash.

Lane Departure Warning (LDW) uses a camera or radar sensor to monitor the lane markings on the road. If a vehicle begins to drift from the lane without the use of a turn signal, the system alerts the driver. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), if installed on all vehicles, LDW would have prevented nearly 85,000 police-reported crashes and more than 55,000 injuries in one year.

Crashes resulting from lane departures are among the deadliest collisions. According to recent data, over the course of just one year, nearly 13,000 people died in crashes where a vehicle left the lane unintentionally.

Lane Keeping Support builds on LDW by steering the vehicle back to the center of the lane if a driver does not respond to the warning.

Distracted driving is a major detriment to safety, but there are things we can all do right now to reduce the problem. Click here to learn more about the technology available for vehicles to improve safety. Share this information widely with family and friends, because no matter your destination, Continental wants you to get SafelyThere.