According to a 2009 Virginia Tech study, how much does reaching for an electronic device increase a truck driver's risk of a safety critical driving event?

Reaching for an electronic device significantly increases a truck driver’s risk of being involved in a safety-critical driving event. The 2009 Virginia Tech study specifically found that this action increases the risk by 6.7 times. This statistic underscores the dangers of distracted driving, particularly in the trucking industry, where maintaining focus on the road is crucial for the safety of the driver, passengers, and other road users. The research supports the notion that even momentarily diverting attention to grab a device can dramatically impair a driver's reaction time and awareness, leading to potentially hazardous situations on the roadway. By highlighting this specific multiplier, the study emphasizes the need for policies and practices that minimize distractions for drivers.