Bolinsky: April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
For all drivers in Connecticut, April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
Beginning on April 1st, many towns in Connecticut will be taking part in a statewide campaign called “U Drive. U Text. U Pay,” sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, targeting anyone choosing to text, talk or distract themselves with a cell phone.
Under Connecticut’s cell phone and texting law, violators face the following fines:
- $150 for the first offense
- $300 for the second
- $500 for each subsequent violation
- A doubled penalty in a construction/work zone
Connecticut also created a first-in-the-nation system that allows offenses to affect the violator’s car insurance premium.
An estimated 1 in 4 car crashes involve cell phones, according to the National Safety Council, and 34 percent of teen drivers have admitted to texting while driving; 52 percent have said they have talked on the phone. Ten percent of drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash.
Although the most recent numbers show distracted driving-related deaths have decreased nationwide, the number of deaths – 3,328 in 2012 – is still too high.
Connecticut is the only state in the country to receive specific distracted driving prevention funds from the federal government. Motorists could see extra patrols, spotters and stationary police vehicles prominently placed around the town and in other participating communities.
Please do not drive distracted – not this month, not ever. It is unsafe and endangers both fellow motorists and pedestrians. Feel free to forward this reminder along to friends, family and neighbors.