Authorities Focus On Teens to Cut Back on Distracted, Reckless Driving

 

More than 200 law enforcement agencies statewide are working together to crack down on “distracted” driving during April. As part of the effort, teens in particular are being targeted for education during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April and California Teen Safe Driving Week, the first week of April.

“Driving takes one’s full attention and any distraction can have deadly, dangerous consequences,” said Chief Phillip L. Sanchez of the Pasadena Police Department.

“Imagine driving for four or five seconds while blindfolded. That can be the effect of looking down to send a text message. In the average time it takes to check a text message – less than 5 seconds – a car travelling 60 mph will travel more than the length of a football field,” Sanchez said.

Throughout the month of April, Pasadena police, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol will focus on educating the public about the dangers of driving distracted through local media interviews, visits to schools, and traffic safety presentations.

In addition, April 15 has been earmarked for special statewide high visibility enforcement days for all law enforcement agencies that are participating in the national traffic safety campaign.

The urge to read and answer an incoming message when we hear the text sound can be almost overwhelming. The Office of Traffic Safety is using a message of “Silence the Distraction” in new public service announcements aimed at getting drivers to turn off their phones while driving so they won’t be tempted.

“No text, call, or social media update is worth a crash,” said the California Office of Traffic Safety Director Rhonda Craft. “With an average of less than a second to react to an urgent situation, drivers need to have all their attention on the roadway.”

While distracted driving can take on many forms and affects all road users, young drivers are at a greater risk.

During “California Teen Safe Driving Week,” through April 7, Impact Teen Drivers will focus on educating teens that their number one killer – reckless and distracted driving – is 100% preventable.

“People are realizing that everyday behaviors, such as texting or reaching for a dropped item, can be lethal when done behind the wheel,” Kelly Browning, Ph.D., Executive Director of Impact Teen Drivers, said.

“Each of us must drive responsibly, keeping full attention to the task at hand – DRIVING. If you have teenagers in your family who are driving, make sure they understand the laws and what their responsibilities are as well,” Chief Sanchez added. “The collective goal with this month-long campaign is to change the behavior of all drivers. That change begins with education.”