Bend, Ore. – Oregonians are buckling up. In 2012, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) reported that more than 98 percent of us wear safety belts.
Can distracted driving awareness be a similar success story? April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the City of Bend Police and Fire Departments are partnering with ODOT and the Bend-La Pine Schools to make the community aware of the dangers of driving distracted.
Any activity that diverts a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving is dangerous.
A Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study revealed that physically dialing a phone while driving increases the risk of a crash as much as six times. Texting is even riskier, increasing collision risk by 23 times.
In Oregon, you cannot use a handheld mobile communications device while driving. You cannot text while driving. Nine out of 10 drivers support these kinds of laws that ban texting while driving.
The City of Bend Police Department, with funding and participation from ODOT, will be enhancing patrols specifically aimed at curbing distracted driving April 21 through April 25.
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