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news
Distracted drivers
pose a threat
Story and Photos
By Rochelle M. McCord
Special to the Online Forty-Niner
Picture someone
talking on a cellular phone and chances are good-you see them
in their car. According to the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 3 percent
of all motorists are talking on cell phones in traffic at
any given moment.
STUDIES
Numerous studies have surged in the last decade to examine
the relationship between drivers using cell phones and collisions.
- A 1996 NHTSA
study revealed that driver distraction in varying forms
is responsible for 20 to 30 percent of all crashes, that's
nearly 1.2 million per year.
LEGISLATION
In 2002 research findings and statistical data prompted a
change in California law. Assembly Bill 770 was put into law
as section 2407.5 of the state constitution.
Briefly, the new
law requires any California
Highway Patrol officer preparing a collision report to
record whether or not a, "cellular telephone or other
driver distraction or inattention is a known or suspected
associated factor to the cause of the traffic collision."
The goal of the
new law is to compile data that will aid in developing education
about and prevention of driver distraction related collisions.
California law
2407.5 (e) Defines driver distractions or inattention as:
Include, but are
not limited to, the use of cellular telephones, electronic
devices, and radios, smoking, eating, children, animals, personal
hygiene,
reading, or other similar distractions.
OFFICIAL STATEMENTS
In May 2001, NHTSA Executive Director, L. Robert Shelton testified
before the U.S. House of Representatives regarding, "Driver
Distractions: Electronic Devices in the Automobile."
Shelton's statement notes, "…for a number of years,
policy makers have been weighing the benefits of wireless
technology in cars against the growing evidence of their potential
to increase driver distraction and the risks to highway safety."
THE NATIONAL
SAFETY COUNCIL
The National Safety
Council, a non-profit organization, released its "Multitasking
Statement" which says, "a driver's first responsibility
is the safe operation of the vehicle and that best practice
is not to use electronic devices including cell phones while
driving." The NSC recently reported findings of a University
of Utah research project. The research looks at different
distractions drivers face when using a hand-held vs. a hands-free
device.
LOCAL
Just last week the Orange
County Register reported 76 year-old Margaret Dailey was
struck by a motorist while riding her bicycle. It is possible
the driver was distracted by an incoming call on his cell
phone.
Mike Gibson, of
Costa Mesa lives near the scene of the tragedy and says there
are flowers and candles where the woman was struck last week,
"I hate it when people talk on their phones and drive."
Huntington Beach
resident Jessica Tye admits her biggest distraction while
driving is a toss-up between putting on makeup and attending
to her 4 year-old son.
Whether its makeup,
food, or electronic devices-the NHTSA ranks inattentive driving
as the 4th highest cause of fatal crashes in the U.S. As technology
brings advancement-it also brings new distractions for already
distracted drivers.
FURTHER INFORMATION
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