National campaign highlights distracted driving
Multi-tasking plays a crucial role in our culture. Driving, however, is one place where a one-track mind still belongs.
“Keeping both hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road sounds simple enough, but these fundamentals become nearly impossible when a driver is distracted,” said Jennie Leatherman of the California Office of Traffic Safety. “A distraction behind the wheel is a recipe for disaster.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has designated April as “Distracted Driving Awareness Month.” It outlined some ways drivers can avoid having their attention drawn away from the road.
According to a report by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, drivers are three times as likely to wind up in a collision while texting, reaching for a phone or dialing a number.
NHTSA provided the following driving guidelines:
- Don’t talk, text, email or use apps on a cell phone while driving.
- Avoid temptation by turning off your phone and placing it out of reach as soon as you get in the car.
- Record a new outgoing voicemail message that says you can’t come to the phone because you’re busy OR because you may be driving.
- Never call or text anyone else when you think they may be driving, especially if you’re a parent trying to call your kids
- Pull over into a parking spot to safely make a call
- Don’t reach for an item you dropped on the floorboard, back seat or other side of the car
- Groom yourself at home, not in traffic
- Pull over and park if you’re going to eat in your car.
- Adjust all of your radio controls and set your song playlist before you hit the road
- Listen to – don’t watch – GPS devices
- Set the destination on your GPS before putting the car in gear
Law enforcement agencies throughout the US are increasing patrols specifically targeting distracted drivers throughout April. Motorists talking or texting will be cited. In California, for instance, a first offense ticket costs a minimum of $162 and subsequent offenses can cost at least $282.