Where Are The Most Distracted Drivers In Connecticut? Travelers Survey Pinpoints Dangerous Roads

Sept. 25--The Travelers Institute, along with researchers at UConn has analyzed distracted driving statistics to identify the most dangerous highways in the state. Travelers also commissioned a survey of 500 residents to ask them about distracted driving. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 9 people are killed and there are more than 1,000 more people injured each day in crashes that involve a distracted driver. Here are some details from the Travelers report:

Where are the most dangerous areas for distracted driving?

Unsurprisingly, the densest, most heavily traveled areas of Connecticut -- its cities -- were the most chronic sites of distracted driving collisions.

What city has the most crashes caused by distracted drivers?

New Haven suffered the most, with 1,392 crashes between 2015 and the first half of this year attributed to distracted driving.

How dangerous are other cities?

Hartford saw the second most, followed by Bridgeport, Waterbury and Meriden. Here is the breakdown:

* Hartford: 1,055 crashes.

* Bridgeport: 899 crashes.

* Waterbury: 821 crashes.

* Meriden: 642 crashes.

Interstate highways are dangerous.

I-95, I-84 and I-91 ranked among the most perilous roadways in the state, where, according to the Travelers analysis, distracted drivers were most likely to crash their cars. According to Travelers, these locations are particularly dangerous:

* I-95 North and South, along the entire eastern shoreline.

* I-84 East and West, in Hartford and Waterbury.

* I-91 North, at the 691 interchange in Meriden.

These state roads are particularly risky when it comes to distracted drivers.

* Route 1 South, along the entire southern coast.

* Route 9 North, in Middletown.

* Route 2 West, between Norwich and North Stonington.

More than a third of drivers have been in a crash or had a near-miss because of distracted driving.

Travelers polled 500 Connecticut adults earlier this month on distracted driving and 36 percent of those polled said they have either been in a crash or had a near-miss because of being distracted while driving. Of that group, 62 percent said their car has advanced safety features -- backup cameras, bling spot warnings or automatic braking.

Do safety features help?

In the Travelers survey, 27 percent said those safety features made them feel they could pay less attention on the road. That view was more accepted among younger people -- 40 percent of respondents between the ages of 18 and 34 agreed. A total of 47 percent said they've been distracted, to varying degrees, by their car's "infotainment" system.

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