The dangers of distracted driving
A AAA study shows hands-free devices may not cut down on distractions as much as you think, and distracted driving, hands-free or not, can cause deadly crashes. According to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, every year, 230 people die on Maryland roads because of distracted driving. Distracted driving, state Police Lieutenant Ryan Bricker says, isn’t limited to one practice.
47 ABC spoke with Lt. Bricker and he says, “People reaching down for something that fell on the floor – changing the radio station. Something as simple as a deer coming out in front of you you’re reaction time is even lessened.”
But according to Lt. Bricker, there is something that trumps them all.
Lt. Bricker tells 47 ABC, “The biggest thing is the cell phone, sending text messages, simply reading your text messages, reading Facebook. People take their hands off or their eyes off the road for just a matter of seconds can cause an accident.”
Of course, not all the accidents are fatal. The MVA says more than 28,000 people are injured in distracted driving crashes every year. Even if you beat that statistic, there are still consequences for driving distracted. For those under the age of 18 who are caught using a handheld phone will get slapped with a $70 fine. If you’re over 18, it’s $83. For each citation after that, the fines climb to $140 and $160 and potential points on your license. Offenders who cause crashes resulting in death or serious injury could face up to one year in jail and a fine of $5,000.
Lt. Bricker tells 47 ABC, “And its not just young kids I see middle aged and elderly also using their cell phones just that education and getting it out there and just how dangerous it is.”
The MVA’s advice? Park the phone before you drive and take care of any calls or emails you may have before you get behind the wheel and if you have to take a call, pull over.
The state of Maryland also has a “Toward Zero Deaths” campaign which promotes seatbelt use and focuses on preventing distracted driving along with many other things. If you’d like more information on the campaign you can visit www.towardzerodeathsmd.com.
