Distracted driving is a major problem on roads all across the country. According to the National Safety Council, as many as 40,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2016, a 14 percent increase since 2014 due in large part to a boom in distracted driving. Thankfully, the NSC is shines a light on this epidemic every April with Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

Driving while distracted might not seem like a big deal, but even taking your eyes off the road for a second can cause serious problems. And those issues can be especially troublesome if you’re a professional driver. The team at New Era Drug Testing wants you to be as safe as possible while on the road, which is why we’re taking some time to educate you on the epidemic of distracted driving.

Get educated on vehicle fatalities and more in the video below:

What Is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is the act of driving while another activity takes your attention away from the road. Some common distracted driving habits include texting or making phone calls while behind the wheel, playing with the car stereo, eating or drinking while driving, and talking to passengers in your car, among others.

Many people don’t consider driving while distracted to be a big deal. They assume they can multi-task safely while driving, which is a seriously foolish belief. You never know what other drivers are doing on the roads, and pedestrians, bike riders, and more can obstruct your path at a moment’s notice. Taking your eyes off the road for even a moment can cause a big accident, and distracted driving only increases the likelihood of that happening.

How Many Accidents Does Distracted Driving Cause?

If you don’t think distracted driving is a problem, you’ll definitely need to look at the numbers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2015 saw 3,477 people killed in distracted driving accidents, with 391,000 injured. And as people continue to hit the road while distracted, those numbers will only rise.

For more on drug and alcohol testing services, check out the blogs below:

How To Prevent Distracted Driving

Preventing distracted driving as actually pretty simple. You just need to be dedicated to paying attention to the road! But here are some helpful tips from the team at New Era Drug Testing:

Only use you cell phone while driving in emergencies
Do not eat or drink while driving
If you’re sleepy or drowsy, pull off the road
Do not multitask while driving

Of course, another great way to prevent accidents is to spread awareness and education. The more people recognize the problem, the more likely they’ll pay more attention while driving.

New Era Drug Testing is dedicated to keeping the roads safe for drivers and pedestrians alike, which is why we offer DOT-compliant drug and alcohol testing services to trucking companies, public transportation employees, and private car companies. We even offer testing for pilots, train operators, and maritime crewmen regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard. For more information on our services, contact New Era Drug Testing today.