The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is asking the public to log onto its Facebook page and submit ‘distracted driving awareness slogans’. April is ‘Distracted Driving Awareness Month’, a national event aimed at preventing a common cause of car accidents. Winning submissions will be displayed on highway signs throughout the month.
CDOT’s campaign to stop distracted driving is warranted. There were an estimated 15,307 distracted driving accidents in Colorado last year. An increasing number of drivers are admitting to taking selfies, sending emails, surfing the web or eating while driving. These activities put everyone on the road at risk.
How long do distracted drivers take their eyes off the road? It would depend on the activity. Answering the average text message takes five seconds, which at 55 miles per hour, is greater than the distance of a football field. People texting and driving are essentially blind during these five seconds.
The Consequences of Distracted Driving
Colorado State Police used the weekend of April 8th to kick off the statewide anti-distracted driving campaign. Law enforcement throughout the state looked specifically for distracted drivers.
If you have a habit of using your phone while driving, be warned that if an officer sees you, they can write tickets for $50 to $100. However, tickets should be the least of your worries. Distracted driving accidents can result in catastrophic injuries to yourself or others. People hurt during distracted driving accidents may suffer from permanent disabilities and require expensive medical rehabilitation.
The Colorado personal injury attorneys at Metier Law Firm are dedicated to helping the victims of negligent drivers.