1620 5th AvenueApril was National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) increased its efforts to make the public aware of how dangerous distracted driving really is. The CHP issued 5,900 citations for distracted driving in the Bay Area in March alone. The CHP is running the “It’s Not Worth It” campaign to stress the severity of the issue.
“We are overwhelmed with the support here in the Bay Area,” says CHP Chief Teresa Becher. “Our allied law enforcement agencies as well as many other public and private entities in the community stepped forward to make a difference.”
California police issued 60,800 citations for distracted driving in April, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).
“Unfortunately, we’re seeing the problem of cell phone use for talking and texting while driving is not going away any time soon,” says OTS Director Christopher J. Murphy. “There are those who understand the dangers and have curtailed their use, while others think the hazards apply to everyone else but them. We can’t stop until we convince everyone that they are putting their own life and others around them at risk with this perilous behavior.”
According to an OTS survey, more than 10 percent of drivers are guilty of distracted driving. Maybe once drivers start facing hefty fines and citations they will curb this dangerous habit.
Bonnici Law Group, APC—San Diego personal injury attorney.
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