April is National Distracted Driver Awareness Month. Many people think of distracted driving mostly as involving cell phones, whether talking or texting. But according to the Colorado Department of Transportation website, distracted driving also includes the following common occurrences, among others: Eating and drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, reading maps, using a PDA or navigation system, watching videos, and fiddling with the radio station or other music device. All of these things are frequently the cause of accidents, and by bringing awareness to this common problem Distracted Driving Month can help people recognize these problem behaviors and help save lives. In many states, distracted driving can also be against the law; in Colorado, teen drivers are not allowed to use a cell phone in any way, and adult drivers are not allowed to text while driving. To find out more about distracted driving in Colorado, see:
- Cell Phone Use and Distracted Driving Laws, Colorado Legislative Council, 2010
- New Driving Laws for Minor Drivers, Colorado Legislative Council, 2006
- Colorado Driver Handbook, Colorado Dept. of Revenue, issued annually
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Well, it's a great way to bring awareness to the dangers of distracted driving; unfortunately many people don't seem to think its a big deal to chat and drive.