New City, NY – April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and local and state law enforcement agencies are ramping up efforts to educate the public about the dangers of distracted driving, the leading cause of accidents in New York State. Texting, talking on the phone, and using social media have become the most common distractions for drivers. In fact, sending or reading a text message takes a driver’s eyes off the road for five seconds. At 55 mph, this is equivalent to driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed, significantly increasing the risk of a crash.
To address this growing concern, New York State Police conducted a statewide enforcement initiative called “Operation Hang Up” from April 7 to April 14. The campaign includes increased patrols and checkpoints, specifically targeting drivers using electronic devices behind the wheel. The state has imposed strict penalties for distracted driving, including fines ranging from $50 to $450, points on the driver’s license, and the possibility of suspension or revocation of the driver’s license.
As part of the awareness campaign, residents are reminded of the importance of staying focused while driving to prevent tragedies. For drivers who need to send or receive texts, the message is clear: pull over to a safe location before doing so. For those with passengers, a designated “texter” can handle all texting duties, ensuring the driver remains focused. Activating the phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, silencing notifications, or simply putting the phone away are all effective ways to avoid the temptation of responding to messages.
Dr. Albert Del Principio, Rockland County STOP-DWI & Traffic Safety Coordinator, emphasizes that distracted driving isn’t limited to phone use. “Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including eating, drinking, interacting with passengers, or fiddling with the stereo or navigation system. All of these distractions can endanger you, your passengers, and others on the road,” he explained.
The Rockland County Department of Health is also working alongside the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to raise awareness about traffic and pedestrian safety. As part of New York State’s “See! Be Seen!” initiative, the county is encouraging the community to adopt safe driving behaviors and to make road safety a priority for everyone.
For more information on distracted driving and other traffic safety resources, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee websites, or check out the Rockland Safe Streets website.
As we enter Distracted Driving Awareness Month, it’s crucial for all drivers to take responsibility for their actions on the road. By focusing on safe driving habits and remaining vigilant, we can all help reduce accidents and ensure that everyone on the road stays safe.