Distractions are a serious public safety issue with deadly consequences. The number of injuries and deaths caused by individuals using attention-robbing electronic devices is alarming. A grave concern is that the use of personal electronic devices (PEDs) has become so prevalent in our society that it has outstripped our ability to safely coexist with this technology. These “smart” devices have made a subset of our population really “dumb,” and simply regulating the use of PEDs won’t fix the problem. It’s a behavioral issue that requires a deeper understanding of human limitations and the related vulnerabilities.
Here’s where we stand. Irresponsible individuals are hurting, maiming, and killing people daily. The stats are pretty scary—the National Safety Council (NSC) reports that cellphone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year. Nearly 390,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving; on average, nine deaths occur each day. One out of every four car accidents in the U.S. is caused by texting and driving. Other studies suggest that texting and driving is three to four times more dangerous than operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Pilot, safety expert, consultant, and aviation journalist Stuart “Kipp” Lau writes about flight safety and airmanship for AIN.
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