Distracted drivers receiving more attention in Virginia

Distracted driving is becoming a major issue on roads in Virginia and across the country.  With some studies finding that distracted behavior is a factor in up to eighty percent of all motor vehicle accidents, lawmakers are looking for ways to educate the public about the danger of driving while distracted.

April 29, 2009 was declared Distracted Driving Day by Governor Tim Kaine.  At the Drive Smart Virginia website you can sign a pledge promising that you will:

1.      Commit to limit or stop the use of cell phones while driving.

2.      Ask loved ones and friends to limit or stop the use of cell phones while driving.

3.      Be informed about traffic safety laws in your area.

4.      Learn more about how distracted driving can harm yourself and others.

5.      Be courteous to other drivers on the roadway by reducing tasks (dining, grooming, talking on cell phone, etc.) while operating a vehicle.

6.      Modify your driving behaviors to maintain satisfactory driving performance and attentiveness.

Authorities hope that by educating the public about the dangers of driving while distracted will cut down on the number of serious auto crashes that result in injuries and fatalities across the state every year.  Many people simply don’t realize how dangerous distracted driving can be.

The activities that increase the risk of a car accident include reaching for a moving object, driving while drowsy, looking at something outside the car, reading, and dialing a phone.