Alarming Study Results for Arizona Distracted Driving

The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) is increasing their crack down on distracted driving after a recently released study that took place between November 2013 and April 1, 2014 revealed some alarming statistics.

During the five-month study, and according to DPS, 10 people were killed and another 380 were injured as a result of distracted driving.

“Texting and Driving”

DPS officer and spokesman Carrick Cook said that, “Despite what people may think distracted driving is more than just cell phone use.” He continued, “One of the things that we are trying to get rid of is the term ‘texting and driving. That’s not distracted driving, that’s an element of it.”

Other Accidents Biggest Cause

The study also showed most distracted driving occurs as a result of paying attention to outside distractions - anything that takes the driver’s eyes off the road. Of these “outside distractions,” other accidents on the road are the most common. Out of 10,166 crashes taking place during the five-month study, 1,163 were due to distracted driving, totaling 11.44 percent.

Cook feels drivers need to pay more attention and understand that their vehicle can be a weapon. “We want people to be aware when they’re driving,” Cook said. “We want people to understand that when you’re driving a vehicle, you’re literally operating a deadly weapon.”

Drive to Save Lives Campaign

This comes just after Arizona took part in the national “Drive to Save Lives” campaign, which aimed to reduce roadway fatalities by 15 percent over the last year. During this campaign, the agency began placing more officers on streets in an effort to catch distracted drivers. The ultimate goal of the campaign was to reduce collisions and remind drivers that most crashes are preventable.

If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by a distracted driver, you need the expert advice of motor vehicle attorneys such as those at Personal Injury Attorneys PLLC.

Source: KTAR, Arizona DPS cracking down on distracted driving, April 21, 2014

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