Many drivers report feeling pressured to respond to work-related calls or texts while driving, leading to more distracted driving and riskier road conditions.

As Scott Achelpohl reports, results from the 2022 Travelers Risk Index show that “Work-related pressures are a significant contributor to distracted driving, as one-third of respondents stated that their own driving has improved over the past of couple years but admitted to making phone calls and reading text messages while behind the wheel.”
“The risk survey from Travelers—its subsidiary Northland is the third largest commercial truck insurer in the U.S.—suggests that work-related pressure might be leading to distracted driving.” Respondents reported feeling like they need to be available for work calls or texts even when driving, and “one-third of [business managers surveyed] said they expect employees to answer or participate in work calls while driving, according to Travelers.”
According to the article, “The Travelers Risk Index also found that distracted drivers are more likely to correct their behavior when their passengers speak up. Of the respondents, 87% who use cell phones while driving said they would be less likely to do so if a passenger chimed in.”
These findings correlate with statistics showing that traffic deaths rose in the last year, up 18 percent from 2019. “Mileage in 2021 rebounded 11% from COVID-19 lows in 2020 and only lagged 2019 mileage by 1%. The estimated mileage death rate in 2021 is 1.43 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, down 2% from 1.46 in 2020 but up 19% from 1.20 in 2019.”
FULL STORY: Post-pandemic distracted driving a surging concern, survey shows

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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