SYRACUSE, N.Y. — As National Distracted Driving Awareness Month gets underway in April, New York state police are stepping up enforcement aimed at drivers who aren’t paying attention behind the wheel.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted drivers killed 82 people in New York state last year and were responsible for more than 36,000 crashes.
New York State Police Trooper Jenifer Jiron said state police will be increasing patrols this month. Troopers will be watching not only for distracted drivers, but also for drivers who fail to pull over for emergency vehicles and for speeders. Jirone said speeding is the No. 1 cause of all fatal accidents on the road.
“The overall message is simple: slow down, watch your speed, stay off the phone and make sure you move over for emergency vehicles. Just looking at your phone for a second, keeping your eyes off the road just for those few seconds can be devastating,” Jirone said.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends several steps to reduce distracted driving, including never texting, browsing or talking on a handheld device while driving.
Drivers are also urged to put phones away and silence notifications to avoid distractions. If a call or text is necessary, the agency recommends pulling over to a safe, designated spot and parking the car before using a phone. If a passenger is present, drivers can ask them to handle calls or text messages.
Penalties for distracted driving range from $50 to $450, and repeat offenders could have their licenses revoked for up to a year.
When it comes to safety on the roads, Jirone said, “We want people to get home safely to their families at the end of the day,” she said.
CREDIT: CNY Central Brandon Roth
