If you count yourself among those who just can’t keep your hands off your phone, even when your hands are supposed to be on the wheel, consider this your fair warning. First of all you are already putting yourself in grave danger every time you elect to ignore the law and text while driving, but starting next week you will stand a dramatically enhanced chance of being pulled over, cited and fined for your actions.
Again…fair warning…the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement teams are ready to crack down on texting-law violators during the national U Drive, U Text, U Pay, high-visibility enforcement effort that runs from April 11th to April 15th, 2019, under the guidance of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The increased high-visibility enforcement by multiple agencies will be conducted at various times and dates, however enforcement action will be taken by all law enforcement officers who observe violations, even the officers not assigned to the High-Visibility Distracted Driving Enforcement
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies will be joining forces across the country to intensify enforcement of state and local texting and distracted-driving laws, and to raise awareness about the dangers and legal implications of distracted driving.
According to NHTSA, between 2012 – 2017, nearly 20,000 people died in crashes involving a distracted driver. In fact, there were 3,166 people killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2017. That means that nearly one-tenth of all fatal crashes that year were reported as distraction-affected.
Over the years, millennials have become some of the biggest texting-while-driving offenders, also using their cell phones to talk and to scroll through social media while behind the wheel. According to NHTSA, young drivers 16 – 24 years old have been observed using handheld electronic devices at higher rates than older drivers since 2007. In fact, in 2017, 8-percent of people killed in teen (15 – 19) driving crashes died when teen drivers were distracted at the time of the crashes. Female drivers are most at-risk for being involved in a fatal crash involving a distracted driver.
Chief Deputy Robert Boyce of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office says, “Every day, we ticket drivers who haven’t gotten the message that using their cell phones while driving puts every other road user at risk. We all know the dangers associated with distracted driving. Whether it’s eating and drinking behind the wheel, using GPS, talking to other vehicle passengers, or using the cell phone, it’s all dangerous when you’re driving. We are determined to impress upon those drivers: Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.”
Violating Michigan’s Distracted Driving laws can be costly. Michigan’s Distracted Driving Law (257.602b Reading, typing, or sending text messages on communication devices prohibited) is punishable by a civil infraction citation with a $100 fine for the first offense, and a $200 fine for a second or subsequent offense.
An analysis by the AAA Foundation of 2009 – 2012 data found that while more than 80-percent of drivers believed that it was completely unacceptable for a motorist to text behind the wheel, more than a third of those same drivers admitted to reading text messages while operating a motor vehicle themselves.
Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey says, “People know texting and driving is dangerous and illegal, but they do it anyway, and it puts others at risk.” The Sheriff adds, “Beginning April 11th, you will see increased law enforcement efforts, as officers will be stopping and ticketing anyone who is caught texting and driving. We are not trying to rack-up citations – we are trying to save lives. If you text and drive, you will pay.”
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office and the NHTSA urge you to put your phone down when you get behind the wheel. If you need to text, then pull over and do not drive. If you’re driving, follow these steps for a phone-free experience:
- If you are expecting a text message or need to send one, pull over and park your vehicle in a safe location. Once you are safely off the road and parked, it is safe to text.
- Designate your passenger as your “designated texter.” Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
- Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.
Cell phone use can be habit-forming. If you find yourself struggling to not text and drive, put your cell phone out of reach in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of the vehicle until you arrive at your destination.
Texting while driving is dangerous and illegal. Break the cycle. Remember: U Drive, U Text, U Pay.
For more information, you can visit online by clicking this link: http://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov
Here are more Michigan specific statistics:
- In Michigan in 2017, a total of 20,115 traffic crashes were caused by a distracted driver. That’s up 57-percent from 2016 (12,788 distracted crashes).
- In 2017, there were 72 people killed in distracted driving traffic crashes in Michigan. That’s up 67-percent from 2016 (43 fatalities from distracted driving crashes).
- Drivers under the age of 20 accounted for 20-percent of all motor vehicle crashes where a cell phone was being used.
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
- When you get behind the wheel, be an example to your family and friends by putting your phone away. Texting and driving is a selfish, potentially deadly, and oftentimes, an illegal activity that could kill you, a loved one, a friend, or a stranger.
- If you see something, say something. If your friends text while driving, tell them to stop. Listen to your passengers: If they catch you texting while driving and tell you to put your phone away, put it down.
