April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

The month of April has been designated as National Distracted Driving Awareness month.  The California Highway Patrol (CHP) plans to use this opportunity to raise awareness statewide of the dangers of distracted driving.

The Solano CHP, the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), Impact Teen Drivers, and Solano County law enforcement agencies have teamed-up to launch the second Annual National Distracted Driving Awareness Month campaign, ‘IT’S NOT WORTH IT!’  During the campaign kickoff month in April 2011, more than 52,000 citations were issued by law enforcement agencies statewide, four times the monthly average.  A first time citation will cost a minimum of $159, with a second violation costing at least $279.

In recent years, hundreds of people have been killed in California, while thousands were injured, as the result of collisions that involved at least one driver who was distracted.  This distraction can be any activity that diverts the driver’s attention away from the primary task of driving.  California’s nearly four year old ban on drivers using handheld cellphones is saving lives, according to a study conducted by the University of California, Berkely.  The study found that overall traffic deaths dropped 22 percent, while deaths blamed on drivers using hand held cellphones were down 47 percent.  OTS, which asked for the study, said deaths and injuries are declining in part because of an overall decrease in drivers using cellphones.

The Solano CHP and local agencies are asking for the public’s help in making this April’s Distracted Driving Awareness campaign successful.

Any questions can be directed to Officer Chris Parker at the Solano CHP Office in Fairfield. (707) 428-2100