Driving Distractions Kill
Sonora, CA – Since it first took on the problem five years ago, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has warned motorists about the dangers of distracted driving by naming April as National Distracted Driving Awareness.
The CHP’s “It’s Not Worth It” campaign has been one of the front runners in getting the word out to California motorists that being distracted while driving is not worth a collision, injury, or death; but is that message getting through? CHP spokesperson Officer Nick Norton of the Jamestown Unit says, “Unfortunately, it’s kind of running rampant. There is that urge. The phone is there and it’s like, oh that must be important, I have to check it.” He cautions those few seconds can be the difference between life and death. If that is not enough to get motorists attention, Norton adds tickets can be costly, running about $150 plus court fees.
One last reason to keep your eyes on the road, Norton warns motorists, officers will be on the lookout for distracted driving offenders and there will even be several “special” enforcement days in April.
