After​ a decade of record declines, traffic fatalities in the U.S. increased 14% from 2014-2016, the largest two-year increase in more than 50 years. Motor vehicle deaths dipped slightly – 1% – in 2017, claiming 40,100 lives versus the 2016 total of 40,327.

What’s distracting us? According to The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), it is well established that using a smartphone distracts the driver and increases the risk of crashes, injuries, and property damage.

Young drivers report the highest level of phone involvement in crash or near-crash incidences. In spite of this, a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration survey found

• 20% of drivers age 18-20 said texting does not affect their driving,
• and nearly 30% of drivers ages 21-34 said texting has no impact.

NIOSH reminds us this month to “Just Drive” and recommends:

• Do not text or use a hand-held phone while driving. Further, avoid using hands-free phones as much as possible – even if your employer allows them.
• Pull over in a safe location if you must text or make a call.
• Make necessary adjustments (e.g., adjust controls, program directions) to your car before your drive.
• Do not reach to pick up items from the floor, open the glove box, or try to catch falling objects in the vehicle.
• Avoid emotional conversations with passengers, or pull over in a safe location to continue the conversation. For normal conversation, passengers in the vehicle can often help lower crash risk for adult drivers.
• Focus on the driving environment — the vehicles around you, pedestrians, cyclists, and objects or events that may mean you need to act quickly to control or stop your vehicle.