Is it time for distracted drivers to put their phones in the trunk?
Apr 4, 2019, 9:35 AM
(Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
(Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Something has to be done to eliminate the epidemic of distracted driving. That’s the message from the National Safety Council as is kicks off “Distracted Driving Awareness Month” with a new survey on driver behavior.
RELATED: What Washington cities have the most distracted drivers?
The council focused on how drivers react to first responders on the roads, whether at an active crash site or a traffic stop or just something random.
“Americans are just unwilling to put their phones down when they are behind the wheel, and that’s really problematic,” council vice president Kelly Nantell said.
A recent survey found that more than 70 percent of drivers take photos or video of crashes or traffic stops, or other issues involving emergency vehicles. 60 percent of those drivers admitted to posting the pictures or videos while still driving.
“One in 10 of the folks we surveyed said that as a result of their distraction, they either struck or nearly struck one of the responder vehicles that they saw stopped on the side of the road,” she said.
The National Safety Council reports that at least nine Americans die every day as a result of distracted driving crashes.
RELATED: A refresher on Washington’s distracted driving law
What’s the solution?
The council supports increased legislation and enforcement to help change driver behavior. Nantell said it’s time to put the phones away.
“In my perfect world, yes, the phone would be out of the car,” she said. “We survived for many decades without phones in our cars. I think we can do it again. It’s just a matter of discipline and taking the phone out of your reach.”
She suggested putting the phone in the back seat, the glove box, or even in the trunk.
