A message from the Harper Woods Police Department:
Thousands have died in crashes involving cell phone use. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 9 people are killed every day in the U.S. as a result of crashes involving a distracted driver. Distracted driving doesn’t just mean texting and driving. Distracted driving means driving while not fully paying attention to the road. Even talking with another passenger is a distraction.
Other distractions include:
- Reaching for your phone.
- Changing the music.
- Checking your GPS or map.
- Taking a selfie or photo.
- Checking email or posting to social media sites.
- Eating and drinking.
- Putting on makeup/grooming.
The extent of the problem
Unfortunately, distracted driving is all too common. How many times have you looked over and seen someone talking on their cell phone or texting?
Consider the following statistics:
- When you send a text, you take your eyes off the road for
about 5 seconds. That’s the time it takes to drive the length
of a football field going 55 MPH! (U.S. Department of
Transportation). - At any moment during daylight hours, about 660,000
drivers are handling cell phones or other electronic devices
while driving in the U.S. (National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration). - You are three times more likely to get into an accident
when distracted by manipulating a mobile device (Virginia
Tech Transportation Institute).
Don’t be part of the problem
It seems like there’s always something to look at other than the road. It’s tempting to try to stay connected by texting and driving, or to take a quick look at your GPS, but those actions can cost you your life or cause you to injure or kill someone else. Always think about whether it’s worth it. Is the text message you’re about to send worth an injury or death?
What you can do to help?
Give clear instructions – Give new drivers in your household clear instructions not to use their wireless devices while driving. Discuss the consequences what will happen if they fail to comply with the rule. Lead by example—No one should text and drive. Be an example for your children, and if you need to text or talk on the phone, pull over to a safe place. Set rules for yourself and your household regarding distracted driving.
