Posted on Tuesday, April 21st, 2015 at 2:40 pm
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Distracted driving is any activity that diverts a person’s attention from the primary task of driving. Texting, using a smartphone, eating, drinking, grooming, reading maps, or watching a video are a few examples of distracted driving. All forms of distracted driving endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety.
According to the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS), at any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving. Distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on America’s roadways.
The NHTSA found that in 2013, 3,154 people were killed and an estimated 424,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes that involved distracted drivers. Our youngest and most inexperienced drivers are most at risk, with 10% of all distracted driving crashes involving drivers under the age of 20. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted. In 2011, the National Safety Council reported seven car fatalities related to cell phone use in Arkansas. This ranks Arkansas in the top 15 states with the highest number of cell phone related fatalities.
Through an education effort, McCutchen Napurano - The Law Firm is dedicated to reducing the number of collisions in our community and keeping drivers of all ages safe behind the wheel. To help increase awareness and ultimately save lives, we encourage everyone to spread the word about distracted driving. Let’s strive for zero car fatalities in the state of Arkansas!
