04/05/17  Distracted Driving Month

 

Arkansas law enforcement agencies have joined the national “U Drive U Text U Pay” campaign to stop distracted driving.

 Agencies have pledged their support to help spread the message that distracted drivers are not only a danger to themselves, but everyone on the road. During 2014 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 3,179 people were killed and 431,000 injured in crashes involving a distracted driver.

Col Bill Bryant, director of the State Police says “Everyone should know that using cell phones while driving is considered distracted driving The Colonel said,  in addition to enforcing the state's distracted driving law, we also want to educate drivers about the dangers of cell phone use and other distractions while operating a motor vehicle.”  Anything that takes your eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off the task of driving is a hazard. Texting while driving only increases the risks because the process combines all three types of distractions, visual, manual and cognitive.

All drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers 18 to 20 years of age using a cell phone are required to use a hands-free device.