Delaware Office of Highway Safety Spring 2015

“Distraction occurs when a driver voluntarily diverts attention away from driving to something not related to driving that uses the driver’s eyes, ears, or hands” - Governors Highway Safety Association, 2011

What comes to mind when you think of distracted driving?

44 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for drivers of all ages. 14 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit drivers of all ages from using handheld cell phones while driving.

 Handheld ban for drivers of all ages.  Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers.  Ban on all cell phone (handheld and hands- free) for novice drivers.  Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.

 33% of these crashes are caused by a person under the age of 30.  Of people under 30, males account for 6 out of 10 cell phone related crashes.  59% of these crashes occurred in New Castle County.

As of March 27, 2015, the number of citations written since the Hands Free Law took effect in January 2011.

 Visual – looking at something other than the road  Manual- manipulating something other than the wheel  Cognitive- thinking about something other than driving

Increased Crash Risk Drivers who use a hand-held device are 4x more likely to get into a crash serious enough to injure themselves.

Driving Blind Sending or receiving a text takes a driver's eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent-at 55 mph-of driving the length of a football field, blind.

 Everyone in the vehicle is buckled up.  Never drive impaired by alcohol or drugs.  Practice patience behind the wheel.  Avoid distractions by presetting radio and GPS.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind. When you're in the car, put your phone where you can't get it. A place where you won't even be tempted to look for it. No phone. No texting. Silence is Golden. Turn those notifications off. The less you hear your phone, the less tempted you'll be to respond while you're driving. Find your App. An app can help you stop texting and driving. Download your fav and forget about it in the car. Designate a Texter. Borrow thumbs from a friend. Or lend yours to a friend. Passengers get the privilege of texting while in motion

To download the pledge, go to

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