Extra enforcement patrols planned for April, Distracted Driving Awareness Month
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Tonight is all about education for the CHP, and then later this month, special enforcements.
“If the phone is in your hand for any reason then it’s considered distracted driving and you can get a citation for it,” said Loza
A new poll by AAA found that 88% of drivers believe distracted driving is a growing problem, ranking it higher than aggressive driving or drunk driving. One big reason why… cell phones.
49% admit to talking on a hand-held device, while 35% said they text or even email behind the wheel.
CHP Officer Oscar Loza said what a driver does behind the wheel often depends on their age.
“While driving, the average person is usually on their cell phone talking or sending a text message. But with the younger drivers we find that they are usually on social media while driving, whether that is snapchat of Facebook,” said Loza.
The CHP will be focusing on distracted driving all month long. One tip is to put your cell phone out of reach so you are not tempted to use it while driving.
Tonight (4/3/2018) there will be a free course about the dangers of distracted driving and some tips for teens. It will held at the CHP office in Salinas on Blanco Road from 6-8:00 p.m. and is for those 15-17 years old.
