April 28, 2012
TriHealth joins Hamilton County Safe Communities (HCSC) to provide people with safe driving messages. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), each day more than 15 people are killed and more than 1,200 people are injured in crashes that were reported to involve a distracted driver
Distracted driving is one of the Nation’s deadliest crimes. There are three types of distractions while driving:
According to NHTSA, you are 23 times more likely to crash if you text while driving. In a study by the U.S. Department of Transportation, 90% of teenagers report phone use while driving is dangerous. However, only 1/3 of teens admit speaking up to a driver who was using their phone while driving.
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and Hamilton County Safe Communities Coordinator Stephanie Estes warns, “One text or call is all it takes. If using your phone or electronic device is too tempting while driving put it in your purse or glove box until you have reached your destination.” In 2010 alone, over 3,000 people in the United States were killed in distracted driving crashes. Many of these distracted driving crashes involved texting while driving. Currently, Ohio does not have a statewide cell-phone or hands-free driving law. However, the State does allow localities to create their own laws regarding driving and cell-phone use. Within the City of Cincinnati there is a law that prohibits texting while driving within the city limits.
For more information on distracted driving visit www.distraction.gov.