According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association:
- In 2015, 3,477 people were killed
- 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers
- During daylight hours, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones while driving
That creates enormous potential for deaths and injuries on U.S. roads. — including the streets right around campus, which are particularly busy during commencement.
Pedestrians you too must be cautious! Please be aware of your surroundings when you are walking in or near driveways, in parking lots or approaching intersections and crosswalks. Do not be distracted by personal devices!
Most of the talk about distracted driving addresses the use of cell phones by drivers. But that’s only part of the story. Something as simple as reaching for a snack or combing your hair could lead to a distraction. So here are some more common-sense safety rules every driver should follow in addition to not using a cell phone while the car is running:
- Do not eat or drink while driving.
- Do not program your GPS, MP3 player or other devices while driving.
- If you need to reroute your map, pull over to a safe parking spot.
- Do not groom.
- Do not read.
- Do not watch videos.
- Try not to get too involved with passengers in your car.
- If something falls to the floor, pull over to a safe parking spot before trying to reach it.