Distracted Driving #2 Reason For Crashes In Texas
The Herald Banner reported about National Distracted Driving Awareness Month recently. We wanted to share what they and TxDOT had to say.
“A serious or fatal crash can happen in an instant,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “If you’re distracted by your phone, or doing anything else that takes your focus away from driving, you’re putting yourself, your passengers and everyone else on the road at risk. Distracted driving crashes are 100 percent preventable. Driving should be your number one priority behind the wheel – everything else can wait.”
It has been illegal in Texas to read, write, or send a text while driving since September 2017. Further research has shown that even voice-to-text programs and hands-free devices can still affect a driver’s ability to use a car safely.
To promote awareness, TxDOT relaunched an augmented reality game called “Dart Those Distractions”. The game challenges players to pop balloons that symbolize driving distractions, including eating, music, checking GPS, and texting.
TxDOT also shared these tips to prevent distracted driving:
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Always give driving your full attention.
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Pull off the road entirely and come to a complete stop before you talk or text.
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Put your phone away, turn it off, or use an app or your phone settings to block texts and calls while driving.
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Tell friends, family and co-workers you won’t respond to texts or calls while driving.
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Remember that all distractions are dangerous, so pay full attention when behind the wheel.
Sadly, Texas has not gone a single day without a road fatality since November 7, 2000. This awareness campaign is part of a larger campaign to break that streak of fatalities.
