Distracted Driving Post 5 Makeup

Distracted Driving- Makeup

There are many girls (and even guys) who now apply make up while they are driving. Not only are the mirrors they are looking in very small, but that requires more of their attention. Applying make up while driving has actually caused a great deal of accidents because once again, it is distracting the driver from the road. This distracted driving can also be prevented. Ladies, if you are running a little late, rock no make up. If you need a lot of time to apply all of it, you should wake up earlier to make sure it is done. If you caused a fatality because you were "applying lipstick" not only would that be upsetting, but I'm sure very embarrassing as well. 

Facts-
Pretty dangerous! Nearly HALF of women apply make-up behind the wheel, causing as many as 450,000 car accidents A YEAR

• -43% admitted putting on their face while driving cars on the daily commute
• 
  
• -Most commonly applied at traffic lights or in a traffic jam
• 
  
• -Confess they know it is dangerous, but still continue to do it anyway
• 
  
• -Lip gloss is most popular cosmetic to apply while driving - 35% do it
• 
  
• -Average time spent applying make-up before work is 10 minutes
• 
  
• -Just 5% of women don't wear any make-up to work
• (1)

"Females are very well known for their interest in beauty, as demonstrated in several magazines, products, talk shows, and other media genre. Often times women will leave the house without their face painted as completely as they want and will use the mirror in the car to complete the task while driving. This is an incredibly huge distraction and a prescription for a tragedy. By applying makeup while driving women first take attention away from their driving surroundings and secondly take a hand off the steering wheel, giving them less control of the car." (2)

Sources-
(1) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2347347/Nearly-HALF-women-apply-make-wheel-causing-450-000-car-accidents-year.html
(2) http://www.injurycareclinic.com/blog/driving-while-applying-makeup

Distracted Driving Post 4 Eating

Distracted Driving- Eating and drinking

Believe it or not, eating and drinking is also another way to distract your eye sight from the road. All it takes is 3 seconds to look down to take a bite, or 3 seconds to look down to pick up your drink. It can be a very dangerous to everyone around you and sometimes is equally as dangerous as texting and driving.

The most harmful foods to eat while your driving are tacos, hamburgers, chili, and the number one is actually coffee. The top foods that are dangerous are usually the ones that are easy to fall apart or be messy. Eating soup would be way more harmful than eating a pretzel just for the simple fact that if you drop a pretzel, it falls on your lap. If you drop soup, it will fall and spill everywhere all over you and the car (which is a huge distraction). Coffee spilling is one of the most harmful actions that happen while driving. It is a liquid that flows everywhere and is usually burning you at the same time.

In some places… Eating and driving is actually illegal..

Yes! Eating While Driving Really Is Dangerous!

Some distracted driving activities get a free pass. With the number of fast food drive-thru’s and Starbucks on seemingly every corner in the most dangerous driving areas, the task of eating while driving has been normalized by our society. Nobody thinks it’s a big deal and in fact, our vehicles and fast food companies have made it as easy as possible for you. Just because a certain form of distracted driving is overlooked, that doesn’t mean you should take part. Eating while driving is just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than texting while driving! (1)

Sources-
(1)http://www.drive-safely.net/eating-while-driving/

Distracted Driving Post 3 Texting

Distracted Driving- Texting and driving

Since technology has become more and more advanced, it is almost impossible to live without our phones. Unfortunately, it has become a deadly result. Some young drivers and even adults cannot put the phone down when they are driving. This has been a growing cause in deaths in accidents, and this can also be preventable. By texting while driving, you loose concentration on the road and can ultimately injure yourself or others driving around you.

Facts-

1. Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting. When traveling at 55mph, that's enough time to cover the length of a football field. (2009, VTTI) (1)

2. Reaching for a phone, dialing, texting and other uses of portable devices increased the risk of getting into a crash by three times. (2009, VTTI) (1)

3. 1% of all drivers under 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted. (2012, NHTSA) (1)

Ways to prevent texting and driving accidents are quite simple. One way is simply putting your phone on silent. This way, you won't constantly hear your alarm or text tone going off. Out of sight, out of mind. Another way is to listen to some music, it might fight the urge to try and pick up the phone. Instead of plugging your phone in and constantly changing the station, but keep the radio on or put in a CD. 

Sources-
(1)http://www.stoptextsstopwrecks.org/#home

Distracted Driving Post 2 Friends

Distracted Driving- Friends

Believe it or not, your friends can be a huge distracting to your driving. By interacting with people in the car, it distracts you from concentrating on what is in front of you. If you turn around for a split second to look at someone, you can loose control of the steering wheel and possibly cause an accident. It may be uncommon, but it is something that is totally preventable. Especially for a new driver, it is very dangerous to allow many people in the car. Teenagers are known to get distracted very easily, but they need to know when to stay focused, and when its okay to interact in the car. 

If you’re a parent, the next two facts about distracted driving will probably terrify you:

• A State Farm Insurance Agency study found that just one passenger with a teenage driver doubled the risk of a fatal accident, and that the risk was five times higher when 2 or more teens rode along. (1)

• The same study also found that alcohol-related teen auto fatalities are down, but the overall death toll hasn’t changed. Their explanation? Cell phones and text messaging have increased the occurrence of distracted driving. (1)

"It’s a well-known fact that driving with friends can increase a teen’s crash risk, which is why many states have laws restricting the number of passengers that teen drivers can transport. Now researchers from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm insurance have shed light on why teens’ driving skills can spin out of control when friends are in the car. Car accidents are the No. 1 cause of death among U.S. teens, who are four times as likely as adult drivers to be involved in fatal crashes. Two new studies published in the Journal of Adolescent Health pinpoint which teens are likely to drive with friends and how extra passengers can hinder their driving before a crash. In one study that surveyed 198 teen drivers, researchers found that those teens most likely to drive with multiple passengers were “thrill-seekers” who didn’t accurately perceive the risks inherent in driving and suspect that their parents are not monitoring their behavior." (2)

Drivers need to stay focused on where they are going when they are driving. They need to keep both hands on the wheel and facing forward at all times. It is important for the passengers to notice the harm they could potentially cause if they are distracting to the driver. In the end, this can be prevented.

Sources-

(1) http://www.driversedguru.com/driving-articles/drivers-ed-for-parents/friends-don’t-let-friends-distract-them-while-driving/

(2) http://healthland.time.com/2012/01/25/distracted-driving-additional-passengers-hinder-teen-drivers/

Distracted Driving Post 1 Drinking

Distracted Driving- Drinking and Driving

Drinking and driving has become a serious issue over the years. Not only can it cause harm to yourself, but also to the people around you. Although a driver may think they are okay to drive, it still can be harmful to many if they have had over 2 drinks. Drunk driving is the leading cause of the deaths in the United States. It is a very upsetting and tough, but also totally preventable topic. Alcohol alters a persons perception and judgement. Unfortunately  a persons poor judgment could be the ultimate factor if someone lives or dies.

Facts-

-In the United States in 2007, the death toll from teenage drunk-driving accidents was 1,393—nearly four fatalities every day of the year. (1)

-Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers in the US and are responsible for more than one in three deaths of American teenagers. Of the teen drivers killed on the road in 2006, 31% had been drinking, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (1)

There are many commercials, ads and speeches about ways to prevent drunk driving. Not only will someone face jail time, but they will have to live with the damage they have caused if they get into an accident. Below is an AD which tries to prevent drinking and driving.

Some tips for designated drivers:

1. Plan ahead whenever you are going to socialize with alcohol beverages.
2. Decide ahead of time who will not drink any alcohol before or during the party or event.
3. Consider taking turns being the designated driver (Look after your friends and family and they can look after you) (2)

Sources-  
(1)http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/alcohol/drinking-and-driving.html
(2)http://www2.potsdam.edu/alcohol/PreventingDrunkDriving.html#.VRyJajpCblI

About Me

-Shannen Puglisi-

My name is Shannen and I am a junior studying public relations at Rider University. My birthday is January 20 and I am finally 21. I grew up in Toms River, New Jersey which is conveniently only 5 minutes from the beach. I love being so close to the water because even in the winter its nice to walk on the boardwalk. I have lived in the same house my whole life with my parents and my brother James. 

*

 I currently have an internship at Talon Professional Services and I work at Journeys in my spare time. Also in my spare time I love to shop, exercise, eat Chipotle and adventure in the woods. My family and cats mean everything to me (which is probably why I go home so often). I am grateful I have such a close relationship with my family and I can count on them for anything. I have two cats, Nala and Josie, who are my absolute favorites. I definitely think I'm going to be a cat lady one day in the upcoming future (if I'm not already).

Something that has always been a huge part of my life is sports. Ever since I was little I have played every sport you can imagine. My favorite was softball. I played softball for a total of 8 years and played on the school teams and a travel team. When I graduated high school I realized it was time to give up my passion and focus on schoolwork. I also love watching baseball and football and my favorite teams are the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Aside from my family, my friends mean a whole lot to me. I have 3 specific people who I consider my best friends and who I would do anything for. The first picture is my friend Becca who I'v known for almost 7 years who is my friend from home. We are basically the same person in different bodies. The second picture is Juliet, who I met during college. She is my roommate and the girl I can count on for anything. The third picture is my boyfriend Jon, who I have been dating for a little over a year now, and brings out the best in me. My friends are a huge part of my life and made me the person I am today. And for that I am very grateful :)