Distracted driving is an ever-present problem on our roadways. You can get a ticket and fine if you’re caught, but the real danger comes from getting into an accident. While our trauma centers are here to help if you’re in a wreck, it’s much better to reduce your risk from the start.
Distracted driving is a problem for all drivers, but teens are much more likely to engage in unsafe driving habits. This can be avoided by teaching them good driving habits and modeling safe driving practices. Evansville Surgical Associates operates two trauma centers to address everything from car wrecks to severe burns in case of accidents.
The Dangers of Texting and Driving
Distracted drivers are nothing new. However, texting has added a whole new level of distraction to our roadways. This is especially true for drivers ages 18 to 20 who experience the most crashes or near-crashes out of every age group.
But that’s not the only concerning statistic. According to DoSomething.org:
- Taking your eyes off the road for five seconds at 55 mph is the equivalent of driving a football field without looking at the road.
- You’re 23x more likely to crash while texting and driving
- Women are more likely to reach for their phones while driving than men
- Teens spend 10% of their time outside of their lane when texting and driving
- 40% of teens have been in the car while the driver used their cell phone
- 77% of teens text while driving “all the time” despite being told not to by an adult
- 9 out of 10 teens expect a reply after texting, adding pressure to respond while driving
- 43% of teens text and drive despite 97% agreeing that it’s dangerous
It’s important to remember that texting and driving isn’t just a problem among teenagers. DoSomething.org also notes that 19% of all drivers admit to using the internet while driving. With those kinds of numbers, we should all make more of an effort to focus on the road when we’re behind the wheel.
For more facts about distracted driving, read our blog!
How to Avoid Being a Distracted Driver
Texting and driving can be a danger to yourself, your passengers, and other motorists. Another important fact to consider is that it’s also against the law. It’s currently illegal to text and drive in 48 states, as well as Washington D.C. and certain territories. It became illegal in Indiana in 2011 complete with a possible $500 fine if caught.
To avoid these risks and stay legal on the road:
- Put your phone on silent (including vibrate) while driving. This will help cut down on the temptation to look while you drive.
- Keep your phone out of reach and out of sight. This is ideal for people who find it especially hard to not use their phones while driving.
- Pull your vehicle over if it’s an important call or text. Spending a few extra minutes on the side of the road or in a parking lot is better than getting a ticket or being in an accident.
- Use apps to monitor your teen’s driving habits. You can even download apps that lock your child’s phone to ensure they aren’t texting and driving.
- Parents should set an example for their children by practicing safe driving. Make sure that you’re following these tips yourself to normalize them for your child.
By implementing these tips as well as those from our other blog, you will be prepared to set your child up for a lifetime of safe driving.
Click here to read our blog with more tips for avoiding texting while driving!
Trauma Centers in Evansville, Indiana
Our team at Evansville Surgical Associates hopes to never see you or your loved one in one of our two trauma centers. However, you can take comfort in knowing we provide the highest quality of care to our trauma patients whether due to distracted driving or another reason.
We operate trauma centers at Deaconess and St. Mary’s Hospital to best serve our community. Both are classified as level 2 trauma centers by the American College of surgery. Furthermore, all of our surgeons are certified in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) to provide life-saving treatment.
We also help manage two other trauma centers thanks to the leadership of:
- Dr. Samir Gupta – Surgical Trauma ICU Director at Ascension St. Vincent
- Dr. Angela Martin – Adult Trauma at St. Vincent / Evansville
- Dr. Dharmesh Patel – Pediatric Trauma at St. Vincent / Evansville
Together, we treat the most severe injuries such as car wrecks, traumatic brain injuries, and severe burns.
Click here to learn more about our trauma centers in Evansville, IN!
The Difference Between Trauma Centers and Emergency Rooms
For many people, it can be difficult to tell the difference between trauma centers and emergency rooms. This is understandable given how similar they can sound, which is why most trauma centers are located inside the emergency room. It’s even common for trauma centers to be referred to as an “emergency room.”
So what’s the real difference between the two? The difference is in their focus. For instance, emergency rooms focus on “general emergencies” such as:
- Possible stroke
- Loss of consciousness
- Broken bones
- Possible heart attack
Trauma centers, on the other hand, are reserved for the most extreme cases. They are for patients in life-or-death situations in need of the most well-trained experts to help them survive. Staff will have unique training and equipment to meet these cases head-on.
Would you like to learn more about the services we provide? Call us at (812) 424-8231 or (800) 264-8231 to schedule your appointment!
Our team of board-certified surgeons operates two trauma centers to help treat the worst possible accidents. Distracted driving can lead to severe consequences, from a possible $500 fine to automobile accidents. To help avoid them, parents should teach their children to be responsible drivers by modeling good driving habits.
Evansville Surgical Associates has been providing comprehensive and compassionate surgical care for over 50 years. Call us at (812) 424-8231 or (800) 264-8231. We are available from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm if you would like to schedule an appointment.
