New Law Seeks to Crack Down on Distracted New York Drivers
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Each day, 10 people are killed in distracted driving crashes ‐ contributing to the 37,000 people killed in crashes on U.S. roadways during 2016, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). To help bring attention to the dangers associated with driving distracted, the Quincy Police Department, announced it will again participate in Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week from April 22 through April 26 and conduct an enforcement campaign of Illinois’ distracted driving laws.

Quincy Deputy Chief Doug VanderMaiden commented “These senseless deaths can easily be prevented if drivers simply choose to focus on the core task of driving when behind the wheel. We aim to do our part to help keep Quincy’s roads safer.”

The third annual Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week is a coordinated effort with nearly 300 local law enforcement agencies throughout Illinois to educate motorists about the dangers of driving while distracted and enforcing the laws on Illinois’ roadways.

Contrary to what some drivers may think, hands‐free, handheld and in‐vehicle technologies are not distraction‐free, even if a driver’s eyes are on the road and their hands are on the wheel. The latest AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety research found that:

  • Drivers who text when behind the wheel more than double their odds of being involved in a crash
  • Drivers who use in‐vehicle technologies, like voice‐based and touch screen features, can be distracted for more than 40 seconds when completing tasks like programming navigation or sending a text
  • Removing eyes from the road for just two seconds doubles the risk for a crash

For more information on Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week, visit www.iddaw.org.

 

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