Driving distracted rivals alcohol, speeding in crashes

  • Published
  • By Capt. Shanna Vaughan
  • 412th Medical Support Squadron
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  One area that remains a large safety concern is unsafe and distracted driving. What is distracted driving? According to www.Distraction.gov, distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger the driver, other drivers, passengers and bystanders. These distractions include texting, using a cell phone, eating and drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, reading (including maps), using a navigation system, watching a video or adjusting a radio, CD or MP3 player.

Cell phone-related distracted driving is on the rise in the United States, joining alcohol and speeding as a leading factor in fatal and serious injury crashes. According to The National Safety Council, cell phone-related crashes have increased for the third consecutive year and are involved in 27% of all car crashes. The National Safety Council also estimates texting-related crashes increased from 5% to 6% in 2014.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2013, 3,154 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents involving distracted drivers. This is a decrease in the number of deaths related to distracted driving from 2012. Distraction.gov figures that drivers in their 20s make up 27% of the distracted drivers in fatal accidents. Engaging in visual-manual subtasks, such as reaching for the phone, dialing and texting, elevates the risk of a collision by three times. Texting is the most alarming distraction because it involves manual, visual and cognitive distraction simultaneously. According to NHTSA, sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for five seconds. At 55 MPH, that's the equivalent of driving the length of an entire football field blindfolded.

The Department of Transportation has been working hard for the past several years to end the outbreak of distracted driving. Here in California, texting and talking on a hand-held cell phone while driving is against the law. The DOT points out that the California Highway Patrol and more than 200 local law enforcement agencies will continue to crack down on drivers who text and talk on their cell phones behind the wheel. Is this law working? Since the law went into effect just four years ago road fatalities have fallen 22 percent. According to Distraction.gov, 45 states currently ban text messaging for all drivers and 14 states prohibit drivers of all ages from using hand-held cell phones while driving.

Staff Sgt. Kristen Shott, 412th Security Forces Squadron Commander's Support Staff NCOIC, explains while behind the wheel "it is unauthorized to talk or text on a cell phone on a military installation."

Therefore, security forces at Edwards are allowed to pull drivers over for talking or texting on a cell phone. If you are active duty and get pulled over on base, three points will be placed on your base record and you will be required to report it to your chain of command. If you gain 12 points in one year or 18 points in 2 years, your driving privileges will be suspended for 12 months.

"This is a hot topic because it is a trend that is occurring more and more frequently," added Shott. 

There are also fines for driving on California roads while using a cell phone. First offense for cell phone and text messaging is a $20 fine and other convictions thereafter are $50.

According to the Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedule, with court costs and penalties, the true costs of these tickets are $76 to $190 respectively. The California Highway Patrol has a "zero tolerance" policy on distracted driving.

Distracted driving is clearly an important subject because of the danger it poses to you and others and the potential legal consequences. Please take a moment before you begin your drive and think about what is distracting you.