Laser Tech Joins In to Remind People it’s National Distracted Driving Awareness Month 

04/06/18

Taking your eyes off the road, even just for two seconds doubles your chances of being involved in an accident. There it is, staring us all right in the face, and yet, distracted driving continues to rise to epidemic portions. Education is the key, keeping people informed to the staggering numbers that continue to increase showing just how dangerous it is to take your eyes off the road – even if ‘just for a minute’. 

National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

During April – National Distracted Driving Awareness month – the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the NHTSA are getting those facts and figures out there. A recent study conducted by the AAA found that nine out of 10 drivers believe distracted driving is an epidemic and more dangerous than aggressive driving, drugged driving or drunk driving. 

AAA Center for Driving Safety and Technology Chart

“We have to find new ways to remind people to keep their eyes on the road, not on their phones,” said Mike Blasky, spokesman for AAA. “People know this is a dangerous behavior, but many of them do it anyway.” Even though more than 75 percent say texting is a “significant danger,” the behavior continues to increase. 

The theme of AAA’s traffic safety education campaign is “Don’t Drive Intoxicated – Don’t Drive Intexticated”, while NHTSA’s is “Stop the Texts. Stop the Wrecks.” These campaigns were created to educate and prove how dangerous distracted driving really is. 

“The safety of our roads has always and will continue to be a priority for AAA and its members,” said Theresa Podguski, AAA East Central director of legislative affairs. “This campaign is necessary, now more than ever, to help combat the growing problem of distracted driving and its deadly results.” 

Some sobering and cold-hard facts: 

• Drivers talking on a cellphone are up to four times as likely to crash and those who text are up to eight times as likely to be involved in an accident, according to AAA’s study. 
• Each and every day, about 10 people are killed in distracted driving crashes on U.S. roadways according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 
• AAA’s research has also shown that 59% of all teen crashes involve some form of driver inattention, while 12% of teen crashes involve cell phone use. 
• The NHTSA also states that distracted driving is the third leading cause of crash fatalities behind speeding and driving under the influence. 
• In 2016, 3,450 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. (NHTSA) 

• In 2016, nine percent of drivers 15 to 19 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash. This age group has the largest proportion of driv­ers who were distracted at the time of a fatal crash.(NHTSA) 

LTI’s TruVISION

Laser Tech’s TruVision photo/video lidar speed gun

Laser Technology (LTI) has long been dedicated to helping to keep highways safe worldwide. We are proud to provide traffic safety officers with the tools to help enforce the speed limit, tailgating and distracted driving; to name just a few of the applications our laser speed devices assist in. The TruVISION^™, our new photo and video lidar speed measurement device gathers and stores the evidence showing crystal clear images of the traffic violation from up to +/- 450 feet away.

LTI’s TruSpeed^® Sxb speed measurement and mapping laser along with SpeedCapture App integrates right with your smartphone to provide complete photo evidence of the driver’s offense. 

Drivers understand the dangers of distracted driving, but they still do it. LTI will continue to provide the necessary tools for law enforcement to help protect people and roadways around the world, and we will also help educate drivers on just how imperative it is to keep your eyes on the road and stay safe. 

Read More Information on Distracted Driving:
Research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
NHTSA’s Stop the Text Stop the Wrecks Facts