LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Nebraska Department of Transportation reported that 10% of Nebraska drivers are distracted by their phones or other devices.
The department’s highway safety office has begun using new digital equipment to measure the number of distracted drivers in the state.
State officials found that one in 10 drivers are not looking at the road, but instead, at a cell phone.
Over 3,100 drivers were killed in 2020 due to distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Transportation officials say sending a text can take a driver’s eyes off the road for at least 5 seconds.
And while driving at 55 mph, it’s similar to driving the length of an entire football field without looking, officials said.
More information on distracted driving can be found at dot.nebraska.gov.
