Put Your Phone Down And Drive: Glendora

Officers from Police Departments across southern California will be deployed this summer to conduct traffic enforcement related to distracted driving and other violations that are “primary collision factors” such as speeding and red-light violations. The goal of the enforcement is to reduce traffic deaths, injuries and behaviors related to these violations.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 3,450 lives in 2016 alone. Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system—anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.

Texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off
the road for at least 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire
football field with your eyes closed.

To prevent tragedies due to distracted driving, motorists are urged to:
• Turn off electronic devices and put them out of reach before starting to drive.
• Be good role models for young drivers and set a good example. Talk with your
teens about responsible driving.
• Speak up when you are a passenger and your driver uses an electronic device
while driving. Offer to make the call for the driver, so his or her full attention stays
on the driving task.
• Always wear your seat belt. Seat belts are the best defense against unsafe
drivers

Funding for these operations is provided to departments by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to “Put Your Phone Down. Just Drive.”

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