April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Texting while driving or even emailing while driving. We have all done it at some point.
Thousands have died in car crashes involving cell phone use. New technology allows us to make phone calls, dictate texts or emails and update social media while driving, all actions that are proven to increase crash risk. The National Safety Council observes April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month to draw attention to this epidemic.
There is no safe way to use a cell phone while driving, even hands free. Distracted driving takes many forms, but cell phone use is at the top. Research shows the brain remains distracted for 27 seconds after dialing, changing music or sending a text using voice commands. Almost everyone has seen a driver distracted by a cell phone, but often you don’t realize that distracted driver is you.
Please remember to not text and drive. Many lives have been endangered due to this problem. Become a part of the solution and encourage others to put the cell phone down while driving as well. Think twice before you use your cell phone in the car. Pull over if it is absolutely necessary for you to send that text.
Source: National Safety Council
Maria Perez, Health Science Pre-Med
Student Blogger
College of Health Science