(PIKESVILLE, MD) – Are you one to eat on the go, or have to always be well groomed? Great, but just be sure not to do that while driving. Joining police departments across the country, Maryland state troopers are increasing enforcement initiatives focused on distracted driving this month in an effort to remind drivers to focus on driving and traffic safety whenever they are behind the wheel.
Beginning today, troopers will conduct additional patrols with the goal of identifying drivers who are involved in activities that are prohibited by law, or significantly divert their attention from safe driving. These include, but are not limited to, texting, handheld cell phone use, grooming, reading, watching a video, using a navigation system, or even adjusting a radio or other entertainment device. Commanders at each of the 23 barracks of the Maryland State Police have been directed to conduct special distracted driving enforcement operations during April.
Texting is still what experts call the ‘most alarming distraction’ because it involves ‘visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver. For more information please visit (www.distraction.gov). It has been estimated that a person texting takes his or her eyes off the road for an average of five seconds when texting. This is like covering the length of a football field while driving blindfolded, if you are driving at 55 mph.
Drivers are often unaware that diverting attention from the road can unconsciously lead to unsafe driving behavior, such as failure to drive in a single lane, following too close, or failing to reduce speed to avoid a traffic crash. Drivers should eliminate any activity while driving that diverts their eyes from the road ahead, their hands from the steering wheel, or their thoughts from being aware of the traffic conditions ahead and around them.
The Maryland Highway Safety Office determined more than 31,100 people are injured each year in crashes in our state because of distracted driving. Maryland law, also known as Jake’s Law, states a driver causing serious injury or death while talking on a handheld cellphone or texting may receive up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine. These are primary offenses and police officers can stop drivers when those activities are observed, regardless of the presence of other violations.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has determined drivers under age 20 are in the age group with the largest proportion of drivers who are distracted. NHTSA also reports drivers in their 20s comprise 27 percent of the distracted drivers in fatal crashes nationwide.
The increased enforcement is part of an effort promoted across the country by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and locally, by the Maryland Highway Safety Office. Funding for Maryland State Police distracted driving patrols is being provided by the Maryland Highway Safety Office.
What Can You Do To Prevent Distracted Driving?
As a passenger?
- Request that the driver puts down the phone while behind the wheel.
- Offer to send a text or make a call for the driver, so they can focus on the road.
- Offer to help watch the road.
As a parent?
- Be a good role model and practice what you preach.
- Do not call or text your child if you know they might be driving.
As a driver?
- Turn off your cell phone while you are driving.
- Pull off to the side of the road to send a text or make a phone call.
- If you think you will be tempted to check your phone, avoid the temptation by putting it in the trunk or the back seat.
24 comments:
total bs, how many od's in maryland this month? it's all about the money! boy I feel really safe knowing if something happens to me or my family the the various barney fife agencies in md will surly take the time to fill out a report. catching drug dealers criminals thugs rapists murderers burglars not so much! They cost the state money!
Aint md grand?
I got rear ended on my way to work at a stoplight by a woman putting on her makeup while driving. I saw her coming up on me with her visor down and making those "I'm putting on makeup" grimaces. The vehicle damage was considerable. She had to go by ambulance to the ER because she stabbed herself in the eye with her mascara applicator.
I was trailing a Delmar Police SUV on the Salisbury by-pass IN THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE doing 70 mph the other day coming back from Lowes. He was tailgating other drivers, rapidly changing lanes and driving 15 mph over the construction zone posted speed. He was riding the other guys ass so close, you would have thought he was being towed. Don't know what the other guy could do. Only a single lane there. Got it on video.
That shit really pisses me off so, I broke the law, turned on my phone video. He turned east on 50.
Don't know where the emergency was that concerned a Delmar policeman in east Wicomico county??
But, if you're going to enforce the law, set a good example before pulling us over for whatever. And, please be safe and don't tailgate doing 70 in a construction zone. Laws apply to you, too.
I really hate it when a cop tailgates me. are your reaction speeds better than the rest of us?
This is really a joke because the MSP are the WORST violators on the highways an byways in the St. of Md. They are continually fondling their computers and I have witnessed no less than 6 of them talking on their dept. issued cell phones while they are driving always over the posted speed limit. The Superintendent of the MSP should police his own before threatening me with a citation and fine when his guys are the most habitual and repeat offenders on the road. I wish I could give my name but if I did I'd have NO license in less than 3 months.
10:50- nothing you say is remotely true.
I get distracted by having too many cops on the streets, makes me have to drive too slow so that I don't have to put my coin into the state's coffers.
tax on poor people rich people w new cars have all that blue toof stuff
people with "blue toof stuff" made a choice in life. I don't know 1202...a re-evaluation of your choice(S) could place in in the same opportunity... maybe????
I guess the 12 church goers just killed by a kid texting doesn't matter, no biggy... wouldn't want anyone to wait to answer a text
I know there are some distracted drivers on the road, and yes, ladies with their makeup would qualify. But they have never done anything about the cell phones, talking and texting, yet. Why don't they start with that before they go moving to "other distractions." Every single day of life I see SEVERAL people on their handheld phone driving down the road. Nobody even worries about the law. Texting, no problem. Wouldn't hurt my feelings if they made cars that simply would not run if a cell phone was in use. Stupid people.
Are you really that gullible 12:20? I have two degrees, earn a 6 figure income and work less than 20 hours a month. Little wonder the tele scammers concentrate on eastern shore COC's (central office code).
And soon they will get out of DUIs by saying, "The car was driving"
Please forgive my ignorance but what does "Blue Toof Stuff" mean? And, what does it have to do with rich people's cars?
Thanks
AMAZING how you never see MSP out in da rain doing enforcment aint they given Rain gear ?? or just afraid of melting snowflakes.
Thats BC there bosses never do ck ups on them on the roads bc they too are violators.
Show the video everyone wants to see
Start issuing tickets , for punching in tag numbers wile riding down the road , also speeding down the road, talking on the cell phones,alot of police do those things , how can you give tickets for texting, while you punch numbers in a computer wile driving, it just doesn't make sense. If you are a police officer the laws should apply to you equally.You should not be above the law.
2:35 Blue tooth connectivity. The car and the phone synch and you can text by talking. You talk, it types. Will read text reply to you as well. Was only in expensive cars 5 years ago but now most new cars have it.
Blogger Rebel Without a Clue said...
Please forgive my ignorance but what does "Blue Toof Stuff" mean? And, what does it have to do with rich people's cars?
Thanks
April 4, 2017 at 2:35 PM
I was wondering that myself.
Thanks 235 PM. I live by voice texting and Bluetooth connectivity in my car. I suppose that I am much to literal to have read the meaning behind the street use of those words.
White Man month coming up next
Step up Enforcement for that too !!!
They enforce the laws on citizens while letting illegals into Maryland and let them know they will NOT be arrested for committing their crime of entering the U.S. illegally. What a-holes.
Can't enforce immigration laws if the politicians don't allow it.
Ever heard the saying ' remove the plank in your own eye before you try to take out the splinter in your neighbors eye?
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