Americans say people in their communities are driving a lot less safely than they were five years ago before the pandemic began. That’s according to a recent Pew Research survey.
Driving while distracted by a phone topped the list of "major problems" people reported seeing on the road.
In Arizona last year, just over 3% of drivers involved in a crash were distracted. And fewer than 1% were reported to have been using an electronic or hands-free device.
Kelsey Mo with Arizona’s Department of Transportation said distracted driving goes beyond just cellphone usage.
“That can include talking and texting on your phone,” Mo said, “but also eating or drinking or talking to other people like in your vehicle or fiddling with your stereo or, like, navigation system. All of that would qualify.”
No message or email, she said, is worth a life.
“We all have to make better decisions behind the wheels to help reduce those numbers,” said Mo, adding that the deaths and injuries that often result from distracted driving are preventable.
