Distracting Driving
Distracted driving has emerged as one of the key safety issues in the U.S.
- Driver distraction was reported to have been involved in 16 percent of all fatal crashes in 2008 according to data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
- The age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers was the under-20 age group.
- An estimated 21 percent of injury crashes were reported to have involved distracted driving, according to data from the General Estimates System (GES).
From: Curbing Distracted Driving: 2010 Survey of State Safety Programs, Governors Highway Safety Association, 2010
Research
Research reports and other resources regarding distracted driving
An Analysis of Driver Inattention Using a Case-Crossover Approach On 100-Car Data: Final Report (PDF)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2010
This report recommends strategies for addressing issues related to distracted driving.
Curbing Distracted Driving: 2010 Survey of State Safety Programs
Governors Highway Safety Association, 2010
This report details a host of approaches states are implementing to battle distracted driving, including stronger laws, increased data collection, new education programs, public/private partnerships and a growing reliance on new media to spread the message.
Measuring Distraction Potential of Operating In-Vehicle Devices (PDF)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2009
This report recommends strategies for addressing issues related to distracted driving and operation of in-vehicle devices.
Traffic Safety Facts - Research Note: An Examination of Driver Distraction as Recorded in NHTSA Databases (PDF)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2009
This research note provides fatality, injury, on-scene crash investigation, and survey data associated with distracted driving.
Teens and Distracted Driving (PDF)
Pew Research Center, 2009
This report provides statistics related to young drivers and distracted driving.
Cell Phones and Driving: Research Update (PDF)
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 2008
This research update presents new data from the AAA Foundation's Traffic Safety Culture Index on drivers' cell phone use and their attitudes toward distracted driving, as well as data on driver cell phone use from a recent omnibus survey conducted for the AAA Foundation.
Driving Performance During Cell Phone Conversations and Common In-Vehicle Tasks While Sober and Drunk (PDF)
Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2005
MnDOT 2005-41
Legislation in Minnesota
Minnesota's statute regarding the use of wireless devices while driving
Summary of Minnesota Highway Safety Laws
Governors Highway Safety Association
Legislation elsewhere
Curbing Distracted Driving: 2010 Survey of State Safety Programs
Governors Highway Safety Association
2010 Roadmap to State Highway Safety Laws (PDF)
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, 2010
This annual highway safety report that rates each state and the District of Columbia on their adoption of 15 laws designed to improve roadway safety.
Videos and other resources
Minnesota Texting While Driving TV Spot: Mom
Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety
Minnesota Texting While Driving TV Spot: Teen
Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety
Distracted driving resources
Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety
Distraction.gov
The U.S. Department of Transportation's official Web site for distracted driving.
AT&T Don't Text While Driving Documentary
Don’t Text and Drive! 2010 Teen PSA Contest Winners
Features winning videos from the 2010 Teen PSA Contest.