Safe Kids USA

Comment on Distracted Drivers in School Zones (2008-2009 school year) Safe Kids USA has conducted an observational study of distracted driving in school zones (http://www.usa.safekids.org/wtw/documents/Research08.pdf). More than 40,000 observational road-side surveys were conducted during the beginning of the 2008 academic year to measure the rate of distracted drivers passing through school zones during times when children were arriving and departing in 20 locations around the country. The researchers found that approximately one out of every six drivers is visibly distracted while driving on the roads near schools. Use of electronics (cell phones, PDAs and Smartphones) was the leading category of distraction while driving. The research also delineated distracted driving rates by activities such as eating/drinking/ smoking, reaching/looking behind, grooming, and reading. With recent research demonstrating that the driving skills of a distracted driver are as bad as or worse than an intoxicated driver, the overall relevance of this study is clear….almost one in six drivers in a school zone behaves like a drunk driver. Research Highlights: Unbelted drivers are 34% more likely to be distracted than belted drivers. Afternoon drivers are 22% more likely to be distracted than morning drivers. Females are 21% more likely to be distracted than males. States with laws regulating cell phone/hand-held electronic device use in a vehicle are 13% less likely to have distracted drivers in school zones. Call to Action: Safe Kids believes the growing trend toward increased driver distraction, especially in areas where children frequently walk, puts children’s lives at risk on a daily basis. Measures limiting cell phone use, texting and other distractions would make it safer for children to walk.