Distracted while driving: It's time to pay attention Published Jan. 5, 2011 20th Fighter Wing Safety Office SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- There you were, minding your own business driving down Highway 378 when all of a sudden another car.... You can fill in the blank as you please, but more than likely, according to nationwide statistics, you were cut off by a distracted driver. While there are numerous distractions to include operating music systems, eating and interacting with passengers, the most common recognized distraction is using a cell phone. According to some surveys, 77 percent of drivers admitted to talking on the cell phone while driving at least some of the time. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in 2008 that driver distraction resulted in the deaths of 5,800 people and injuries to 515,000 people. Distracted driving endangers life and property and the current levels of injury and loss are unacceptable. Let's put this into perspective: Some studies have shown that talking on a cell phone or e-mailing and texting while driving is similar to impaired driving, having a blood alcohol content of .08, which is over the legal limit to operate a vehicle. This results in slower reaction times for the driver. Air Force instructions prohibit the use of cell phones while driving a privately-owned vehicle and government-owned vehicle on base and GOVs off base, unless in hands-free mode. So why are people still using a cell phone while driving? Who knows? Maybe they think they are great drivers and they can handle any situation that arises; maybe they think no one will notice; or maybe they just don't think. Whatever the reason, driving while using a cell phone in a non-hands-free mode is dangerous and can be deadly. Is it worth the risk?