TIP: Distracted Driving

The Department of Law & Public Safety has announced the national U Drive. U Text. U Pay high-visibility enforcement (HVE) campaign for the month of April. As we all know, texting and driving is extremely dangerous when you are behind the wheel of a car. We already have laws in place prohibiting drivers from texting while driving. Along with texting many other things are being added to the list of distracted driving. Below is a list of all types of distractions while driving for the month of April:

  • Texting
  • Using your cell phone
  • Eating and Drinking
  • Talking to passengers
  • Grooming
  • Reading maps
  • Following your navigation system
  • Watching a video
  • Adjusting the radio

Distracted drivers could face fines of $200 to $400 for a first offense and could increase to $800 and three insurance points in subsequent violations.

 

Here are some helpful tips to remember while you are driving to avoid becoming a distracted driver:

  • Put your phone on silence, or turn it off
  • Drink your coffee at home in the morning instead of on the go
  • Avoid eating until you get out of the car, or pull over
  • If you are feeling drowsy pull off of the road
  • Focus your attention to the road
  • If you have a passenger with you, enlist their help with focusing on the road