SACRAMENTO — The California Freeway Patrol, California Workplace of Visitors Security and Affect Teen Drivers are working collectively this month to remind Californians of the hazards of not giving the highway their full consideration when behind the wheel as a part of Distracted Driving Consciousness Month.
The Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration experiences 3,142 individuals have been killed in motorized vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2019 nationwide. That very same yr, there have been at the least 18,698 crashes from distracted driving that resulted in 108 deaths and greater than 13,500 accidents within the state.
CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray mentioned driving safely requires your full consideration.
“Distractions put you and others on the highway in danger,” she mentioned. “Collectively, with our site visitors security companions, enforcement, and the cooperation of the motoring public, we will save lives and remove this harmful conduct on California’s roadways.”
Distractions aren’t restricted to mobile telephones. Different electronics, youngsters, pets, and consuming or consuming whereas driving also can divert consideration and end in a crash.
Breaking distracted driving legal guidelines turns into extra severe this yr. Starting July 1, a violation for utilizing a handheld cellphone or texting whereas driving will end in a superb and likewise add a degree to the driving force’s report for every violation occurring inside 36 months of a previous conviction for a similar offense.
“Distracted driving is a severe challenge that’s 100% preventable,” OTS Director Barbara Rooney mentioned. “That textual content, cellphone name, or social publish is rarely extra essential than the duty of driving.”
As a part of Distracted Driving Consciousness Month, the primary week of April is designated California Teen Secure Driving Week.
All through the week, CHP and ITD will place an elevated emphasis on informing the state’s latest drivers in regards to the risks and penalties of reckless and distracted driving.
“Mother and father, your children have been watching you drive since they have been in a forward-facing automobile seat,” mentioned Kelly Browning, govt director of ITD. “Your driving habits will change into their driving habits — be the driving force you need your children to be.”
