THAT TEXT OR CALL CAN WAIT:

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

 

Police & Safety Advocates Urge Drivers to “Park the Phone Before You Drive”

Washington County, MD – Every year, more than 27,000 people are injured on Maryland’s roads because of distracted driving, and driver distraction is a factor in 185 traffic deaths. Anything that takes your eyes and your focus off the road is dangerous.

Cell phone use, or using other devices like e-readers, is especially distracting. A typical text takes five seconds to write and send. In five seconds, a car traveling at 55 mph will travel the length of a football field. With your attention away from the road, it’s like driving that distance while blindfolded.

Drivers can be ticketed for writing, sending or reading a text or electronic message while driving. The fine is $70 and one point on your license and may increase to $110 and three points if use of the device contributes to a crash. Fines for using a handheld cell phone are $83 for the first offense, $140 for the second offense and $160 for the third offense. Any driver who causes serious injury or death while using a handheld cell phone or texting may receive a prison sentence of up to 3 years and a fine of up to $5,000.

 

For more information, visit towardzerodeathsmd.com

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