ERIE, Pa., Feb. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A review of police
data by Erie Insurance shows that Saturdays in September are the
biggest days for fatal car crashes involving daydreaming while
driving, and Tuesdays in February are lowest. The company's
previous analysis found that being "generally distracted" or "lost
in thought" – otherwise known as daydreaming – is the number-one
distraction noted in fatal crashes.
The data is from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS),
which includes information from police reports on the causes of
fatal car crashes. Erie Insurance consulted with the Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety to analyze the data, which is
maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA).
"We released this data to raise awareness of the ongoing need to
combat distracted driving in all its forms, whether it's texting
while driving, or simply letting your mind wander behind the
wheel," said Jon Bloom, vice
president of personal auto, Erie Insurance. Erie Insurance released
the data to promote Distracted Driving Awareness Month which is in
April. "No matter what day of the week or what month it is, we urge
all drivers at all times to keep their eyes on the road, their
hands on the wheel, and their attention on what they are
doing."
The most recent NHTSA data shows 3,166 people were killed in
distracted driving crashes in 2017. See NHTSA data here:
https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812603
The most recent review of FARS data by Erie Insurance resulted
in a ranked list of more than 84 combinations (with some ties) of
days and months associated with daydreaming while driving. Below
are the top and bottom five during 2013-17.
Top 5 Days/Months for Fatal Daydreaming While Driving
Crashes:
1. Saturdays in September
2. Saturdays in May
3. Fridays in October
4. Saturdays in August
5. Fridays in July
Bottom 5 Days/Months for Fatal Daydreaming While Driving
Crashes
80. Sundays in December
81. Thursdays in February
82. Mondays in January
83. Wednesdays in February
84. Tuesdays in February
The FARS data is based largely on police officers' judgment at
the time of a crash, and interviews with those involved.
"It's not clear why people would be more likely to daydream
while driving on certain days or in certain months over others,"
Bloom says. "Regardless, we think the data is worth sharing if it
gets people talking about the serious problem of distracted driving
and how to avoid it."
To help drivers better understand and avoid daydreaming while
driving, Erie Insurance previously collaborated with
internationally known cognitive behavioral researcher Paul Atchley, Ph.D., who has studied distracted
driving and worked with national safety organizations to reduce it.
Click here to hear Dr. Atchley explain why people daydream
while driving and his tips for how to avoid it.
About Erie Insurance
According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in
Erie, Pennsylvania, is the
9th largest homeowners insurer and
11th largest automobile insurer in
the United States based on direct
premiums written and the 16th
largest property/casualty insurer in the
United States based on total lines net premium written. The
Group, rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, has more than 5
million policies in force and operates in 12 states and the
District of Columbia. Erie
Insurance Group is a FORTUNE 500 company.
News releases and more information about Erie Insurance Group
are available at www.erieinsurance.com.
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SOURCE Erie Insurance