Senior Viewpoint

Driving Distractions

Posted by Richard J. Steinberg on May 4, 2009

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In the current issue of the AAA magazine presumably only sent to members, of which I am, a titled feature "Driving Distractions" is on page 19.

In a previous blog of mine the subject was careless driving with a cell phone and other modern instruments.

AAA says "Electronic devices in our cars cause dangerous diversions. Smart choices and safe driving reduce the risk".

AAA continues: " Driver inattention contributes to 80 percent of all crashes, according to a recent study by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That equals about 4 million wrecks each year. The facts about phoning and driving are equally sobering. Talking on a cell phone while driving significantly reduces driver reaction time and quadruples the risk for crashes. Drivers using cell phones are more likely to cause rear-end crashes than drunk drivers".

AAA illustrates an example of a motorist on a cell phone rear-ending a driver who suffered 2 years of surgery to repair four vertebrae in his neck.

AAA also writes about the fact that no state has yet banned all cell phone use by drivers, and a handful of local municipalities and states ban hand-held phone use and texting while driving, and some states ban teens from using cell phones while driving.

It is about time that our local community takes positive legislative action to protect the safety of our law abiding drivers and pedestrians, and not use the excuse of waiting for the state to act because it will not happen.

Failure for the legislators to act may result in a court decision finding the city liable for negligence, the omission of an act, and the taxpayers will pay the price.