Schoolbus Safety – Distracted Driving Stats and Facts

FACTS

1. Mobile Device Usage: Engaging with phones or other electronic devices diverts attention from the road.
2. Student Disruptions: Managing student behavior while driving can lead to significant distractions.
3. Eating or Drinking: Consuming food or beverages while driving reduces focus and manual control.
4. External Distractions: Events or objects outside the bus can capture the driver’s attention, leading to inattention.
5. Route Familiarity: Overconfidence on well-known routes may cause drivers to be less vigilant.
6. Personal Grooming: Activities like adjusting appearance while driving can momentarily divert attention.
7. Fatigue: Tiredness can impair concentration, increasing the likelihood of distraction.

STATS

United States:

• In 2022, 3,308 people lost their lives in crashes involving distracted drivers, with nearly 290,000 people injured.
• Distracted driving accounted for 8% of all fatal crashes in 2022.
• A study by United Educators found that accidents involving distracted school bus drivers constituted 16% of total public school claims, resulting in over $7 million in losses.

Canada:

• According to Transport Canada’s National Collision Database, distracted driving contributed to an estimated 22.5% of fatal collisions and 25.5% of serious injury collisions in 2021.
• A 2019 survey revealed that nearly half of Canadians witnessed a distracted driver in a school zone, highlighting the prevalence of this issue.
• School buses are recognized as the safest mode of transportation for children in Canada. According to Transport Canada’s National Collision Database, children traveling to school by bus are 72 times safer than those traveling by car and 45 times safer than those walking or cycling.