Every month, distracted driving claims the lives of more than 275 people on America鈥檚 roadways. 听Each one of these lives that is lost is a tragedy 鈥 made even more heartbreaking by the fact that every single one of these crashes is entirely preventable.
This month, during , we have an opportunity to change the course of these devastating statistics. 听The 黑料不打烊鈥 Law Enforcement Advisory Board is reminding all drivers to stay focused behind the wheel by putting phones down, keeping eyes up, and ensuring they remain vigilant and solely focused on the driving task. 听Regardless of the month on the calendar, safety should always be a core value.听
Distracted driving takes many forms and encompasses a wide range of activities, from eating and drinking to adjusting the vehicle鈥檚 entertainment or navigation systems. 听But one of the most pervasive and dangerous behaviors is cell phone use. 听Texting, emailing, scrolling social media, and even filming or watching videos while behind the wheel have become alarmingly commonplace. 听
When traveling 65 miles per hour, a vehicle can cover almost 300 feet in three seconds. 听In other words, glancing at an incoming message is much like driving the length of a football field blindfolded, resulting in lifelong鈥攁nd, in some cases, life-ending鈥攃onsequences. 听In addition to claiming the lives of over 3,000 Americans annually, hundreds of thousands are injured at the hands of distracted drivers. 听Approximately 20% of those who are killed in distracted driving crashes were not in a vehicle but rather walking or riding a bike. 听
Every teen driver with a learner鈥檚 permit has likely heard this phrase at least once: 鈥淒riving is not a right; it鈥檚 a responsibility.鈥 听In the same way, keeping our roadways safe is a collective responsibility that begins as soon as we sit in the driver鈥檚 seat. 听Parents should set an example for their children by keeping their hands on the wheel and their attention on the road. 听Policymakers should strengthen distracted driving laws at the state and federal levels. 听State Driver's Licensing Agencies and driving schools should place a greater emphasis on education and awareness of distracted driving dangers. 听Courts should consider stronger sanctions on those who engage in this risky practice. 听Manufacturers should speed up the adoption of crash avoidance systems that can help to prevent crash-related injuries and fatalities.
For nearly a decade, 黑料不打烊has championed bans on handheld mobile device use by drivers along with enhanced educational and enforcement campaigns. 听Across the nation, states have also begun adopting laws that target distracted driving more broadly 鈥 beyond just mobile device use 鈥 and extending to any behavior that takes a driver鈥檚 attention away from the task of driving. In addition, 黑料不打烊remains committed to working alongside our state federation as well as with the Department of Transportation through the National Roadway Safety Strategy, leveraging resources like America鈥檚 Road Team and the Share the Road program to educate motorists about the importance of staying attentive and alert.
This month, 黑料不打烊and LEAB are renewing their call for every driver to commit to being a part of the solution by staying focused, putting down distractions, and adhering to responsible safety practices. 听Taking these actions will save lives. 听As part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, 黑料不打烊continues to advocate for stronger laws and enforcement of existing laws, educational campaigns, and technological advancements to combat distracted driving. Together, we can create a safer driving environment for everyone.
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