Parents will be the first to tell you children are naturally curious creatures. All of us are to a certain degree, regardless of age, and some more so than others.
But it's this very personality trait that, according to researchers, many distracted drivers share in common, suggesting they may be more inclined to multitask behind the wheel than other people.
In a first-of-its-kind study out of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, eager-to-know teenagers may be more likely to be distracted when behind the wheel than their less inquiring peers.
Why are the curious more likely to drive distracted?
Though there are several potential explanations for why this may be the case, curious teenagers' inclinations may derive from the personality trait's association with attentiveness, researchers believe. As an example, during situations when teens receive text messages, they may feel the need to respond to said texts right away, regardless of whether the situations they're in warrants it or may be inappropriate.
Despina Stavrinos, Ph.D., the study's lead researcher and director of UAB's Translational Research for Injury Prevention Laboratory, noted just how common multitasking behaviors are today.
"Data tell us that distracted driving is a factor in nearly 50% of car crashes, which translates to 1 million injury-producing crashes each year," Stavrinos explained. "[Additionally], 10% of those crashes result in a fatality."
She added that a better understanding of why people drive distracted - as well as the personal traits of those who do it - can offer clues into the best ways to tackle what's proven to be an ongoing safety issue.
Most of those who multitask understand the risks associated
One of the more troublesome aspects of driving distracted is despite motorists' understanding of its dangers, many do it regardless. Over 60% of Americans admit to multitasking while behind the wheel, knowing full well that it compromises safety, according to a recent survey performed by vehicle valuation firm Kelley Blue Book.
"Roughly 3,800 people died in distracted driving crashes in 2014."
Even though using cell phones and texting is banned in most of the U.S., hundreds of thousands are injured each year in crashes where distracted driving played a role. Approximately 431,000 motorists were hurt in multitasking-related collisions in 2014, based on numbers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Consider visiting NHTSA's website Distraction.gov to take the pledge, vowing to always pay attention to the roads when driving and to put cell phones on silent mode.
But it's this very personality trait that, according to researchers, many distracted drivers share in common, suggesting they may be more inclined to multitask behind the wheel than other people.
In a first-of-its-kind study out of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, eager-to-know teenagers may be more likely to be distracted when behind the wheel than their less inquiring peers.
Why are the curious more likely to drive distracted?
Though there are several potential explanations for why this may be the case, curious teenagers' inclinations may derive from the personality trait's association with attentiveness, researchers believe. As an example, during situations when teens receive text messages, they may feel the need to respond to said texts right away, regardless of whether the situations they're in warrants it or may be inappropriate.
Despina Stavrinos, Ph.D., the study's lead researcher and director of UAB's Translational Research for Injury Prevention Laboratory, noted just how common multitasking behaviors are today.
"Data tell us that distracted driving is a factor in nearly 50% of car crashes, which translates to 1 million injury-producing crashes each year," Stavrinos explained. "[Additionally], 10% of those crashes result in a fatality."
She added that a better understanding of why people drive distracted - as well as the personal traits of those who do it - can offer clues into the best ways to tackle what's proven to be an ongoing safety issue.
Most of those who multitask understand the risks associated
One of the more troublesome aspects of driving distracted is despite motorists' understanding of its dangers, many do it regardless. Over 60% of Americans admit to multitasking while behind the wheel, knowing full well that it compromises safety, according to a recent survey performed by vehicle valuation firm Kelley Blue Book.
"Roughly 3,800 people died in distracted driving crashes in 2014."
Even though using cell phones and texting is banned in most of the U.S., hundreds of thousands are injured each year in crashes where distracted driving played a role. Approximately 431,000 motorists were hurt in multitasking-related collisions in 2014, based on numbers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Consider visiting NHTSA's website Distraction.gov to take the pledge, vowing to always pay attention to the roads when driving and to put cell phones on silent mode.
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