Traffic Safety Partners Make Plea to Motorists:
‘Silence the Distraction’
When you’re behind the wheel, your only job is to drive.
“Driving is a complex task, requiring a motorist’s full attention,” CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said. “Imagine driving for four or five seconds while blindfolded. That can be the effect of looking down while driving to send a text message. In the average time it takes to send a text message – less than 5 seconds – a car travelling 60 mph will travel the length of a football field.”
Distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on our roads. While drivers texting behind the wheel tops what seems like an endless list of distractions, other risky actions include
talking — whether it be on the phone or to others in the car, setting your navigation, adjusting what you’re listening to, drinking coffee, applying makeup, and more. By driving distracted, you’re robbing yourself of seconds that you may need to avoid a close call or deadly crash.
Collisions caused by distraction occur daily throughout California. According to CTSI in 2013, there were 50 people killed and nearly 4,000 people injured as a result of driver distraction.
In 2020, distracted driving killed 3,142 people nationally. Young drivers seem more prone to using their phones while driving. According to NHTSA research from 2017, drivers 16 to 24 years old have been observed using handheld electronic devices while driving at higher rates than older drivers have since 2007. But make no mistake: It isn’t just young people who are driving distracted, since drivers in other age groups don’t lag far behind.
“No text, call, or social media update is worth a crash,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft. “With an average of less than a second to react to an urgent situation on the roadway, drivers need to have all their attention on the road.”
Drive Responsibly
April, which is national Distracted Driving Awareness Month, is a good time to regroup and take responsibility for the choices we make when we’re on the road. Follow these safety tips for a safe ride every time:
Need to send a text? Pull over and park your car in a safe location. Only then is it safe to send or read a text.
Designate your passenger as your “designated texter.” Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
Do not scroll through apps, including social media, while driving. Cell phone use can be habit-forming. Struggling to not text and drive? Put the cell phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of the vehicle until you arrive at your destination.
Take Action
Remind your friends and family: If you’re in the driver’s seat, it’s the only thing you should be doing. No distractions.
If your driver is texting or otherwise distracted, tell them to stop and focus on the road.
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