Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Division of Acute Care Surgery is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, the Tennessee Highway Patrol and other traffic safety groups to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.
A crash involving a distracted driver occurs approximately every 43 minutes based on statistics from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
“These hourly crashes are not just statistics,” said Mayur Patel, MD, MPH, chief of the Division of Acute Care Surgery, during an April 1 media event launching the state’s Operation Hands Free campaign. “This is dangerous behavior that leads to many preventable accidents and alters lives forever.
“Distracted driving is closely associated with rear-end collisions, which can result in injuries ranging from minor cuts and bruises to severe, life-altering conditions. Imagine the uncertainty following a traumatic brain injury, being partially or completely paralyzed and never being able to move or feel again, or navigating a long recovery from broken bones or internal organ damage.”
As a nationally verified Level 1 trauma center, Vanderbilt University Hospital routinely cares for individuals with traumatic injuries resulting from distracted driving in the mid-state region. Patel told those attending a press conference that the injuries extend far beyond the wounds suffered at the crash’s impact.
“We must acknowledge the psychological impact of distracted driving crashes,” said Patel, the Ingram Professor in Surgical Sciences. “Victims often face emotional turmoil, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. The ripple effects of such trauma can burden families and communities, creating a cycle of suffering, shame and guilt that lasts far beyond the accident. One wrong choice, one fleeting moment of inattention while driving, can dramatically change your life and the lives of others forever.
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The Operation Hands Free campaign increases awareness and cracks down on violators of Tennessee’s Hands-Free Law.
Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-8-199 makes it illegal for a driver to:
- Hold a cellphone or mobile device with any part of their body
- Write, send or read any text-based communication
- Reach for a cellphone or mobile device in a manner that requires the driver to no longer be in a seated driving position or properly restrained by a seat belt
- Watch a video or movie on a cellphone or mobile device
- Record or broadcast video on a cellphone or mobile device
Violation of this law can result in points on an individual’s driving record. Drivers can learn more at HandsFreeTN.com.
Tips to avoid distracted driving
- Keep your hands on the wheel, with your eyes and brain focused on the road.
- Ideally, put your phone away. Never text, read email or scroll the internet or social media while driving.
- Use the “Do Not Disturb” setting, or put your phone in the glove box.
- Use a hands-free phone mount, and set it up before beginning a drive.
- Store items inside the vehicle securely so they won’t shift.
- Adjust the seat, mirrors and climate controls before starting your engine.
- Select the route and check traffic conditions before a trip begins.
- Put away the hairbrush and makeup. Get ready at home and not on the road.
- Avoid on-the-road snacking.
- Avoid traveling with pets. If you must, secure them away from the driver and the front seat.
