The US government has a new plan to curb distracted driving and it comes with a clever slogan – ''Phone in One Hand, Ticket in the Other.''
One of the first steps consists of increased law enforcement and high-profile public education campaigns. California and Delaware have been selected to receive $2.4 million in federal support for pilot projects that will test their effectiveness.
"Distracted driving is an epidemic. While we’ve made progress in the past three years by raising awareness about this risky behaviour, the simple fact is people are continuing to be killed and injured – and we can put an end to it,'' said US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
In 2010, at least 3,092 people were killed in distraction-affected crashes, accounting for approximately 10% of all fatalities on American roads.
According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drivers under the age of 25 are 2-3 times more likely than older drivers to send text messages or emails while driving.
And even though 90% of respondents considered a driver who was sending or reading text messages or emails as very unsafe, more than 75% of drivers said that they are willing to answer calls on all, most, or some trips.
Source: Automotive News
One of the first steps consists of increased law enforcement and high-profile public education campaigns. California and Delaware have been selected to receive $2.4 million in federal support for pilot projects that will test their effectiveness.
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"Distracted driving is an epidemic. While we’ve made progress in the past three years by raising awareness about this risky behaviour, the simple fact is people are continuing to be killed and injured – and we can put an end to it,'' said US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
In 2010, at least 3,092 people were killed in distraction-affected crashes, accounting for approximately 10% of all fatalities on American roads.
According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drivers under the age of 25 are 2-3 times more likely than older drivers to send text messages or emails while driving.
And even though 90% of respondents considered a driver who was sending or reading text messages or emails as very unsafe, more than 75% of drivers said that they are willing to answer calls on all, most, or some trips.
Source: Automotive News