Chief’s Column: Grafton Police add extra patrols targeting distracted driving

The Grafton Police Department will conduct a series of extra patrols targeting distracted driving. The effort is part of a statewide enforcement and education campaign by the Highway Safety Division (HSD) of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities caused by distracted driving.

April has been designated as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month therefore, in order to make residents mindful of the causes and consequences of distracted driving, the Grafton Police Department would like to offer the following information:

WHAT IS DISTRACTED DRIVING?

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger and bystander safety. These types of distractions include: Texting, using a cell phone or smartphone, eating and drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, reading, including maps, using a navigation system, watching a video, adjusting a radio, CD player or MP3 player.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019 distracted driving crashes killed 3,142 people in the U.S., an average of 9 deaths per day. That number was up 10 percent from the year before (2,839 deaths in 2018). In southern New England (RI/MA/CT), 35 people died in 2019 as a result of distracted driving.

As indicated, a major element of distracted driving involves the use of a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle. Massachusetts law prohibits adult drivers from writing, sending, or reading electronic messages, interacting with apps or browsing the Internet while driving, even if stopped at a traffic light. Teen drivers under 18 are prohibited entirely from using mobile phones and other electronic devices while driving. Fines go as high as $500. Teen drivers can also lose their license for up to one year.

10 Tips for Managing Driver Distractions

1. Turn it off – Turn your phone off or switch to silent mode before you get in the car. Or better yet, put the phone away in a place it cannot be accessed while driving.

2. Spread the word – Set up a special message to tell callers that you are driving and you’ll get back to them as soon as possible or sign up for a service that offers this.

3. Pull over – If you need to make a call, pull over to a safe area first.

4. Use your passengers – Ask a passenger to communicate for you.

5. X the text – Don’t ever text and drive, surf the web or read your email while driving. It is dangerous and against the law in most states.

6. Know the law – Familiarize yourself with state and local laws before you get in the car.

7. Prepare – Start your GPS or review maps and directions before you start to drive. If you need help when you are on the road, ask a passenger to help or pull over to a safe location to review the map and/or directions.

8. Secure your pets – Pets can be a big distraction in the car. Always secure your pets properly before you start to drive.

9. Keep the kids safe – Pull over to a safe location to address situations with your children in the car.

10. Focus on the task at hand – Refrain from smoking, eating, drinking, reading and any other activity that takes your mind and eyes off the road.