The Sacramento Police Department amps up operations for Distracted Driving Awareness Month. With a sobering emphasis on the dangers of inattention, officers are set to patrol with a keen eye for those flouting the hands-free cell phone law, Sacramento City Express reports. Drivers caught handling phones risk fines and points against their driving records with the law specifying no use of electronic devices, even at stops.
"Staying focused behind the wheel is something we can all do," Sacramento Police Sergeant Ken Collier highlights the gravity of the situation, and to echo his words: a brief lapse in attention can spiral into catastrophic outcomes. Interestingly, a 2024 California Statewide Public Opinion Survey found 74% of drivers were anxious about texting and driving. Last year's reports, although suspected to be conservative, clocked in 148 fatalities tied to distracted driving, in the state of California alone, as per Sacramento City Express.
In combating this epidemic of distraction, Sacramento police officers are asking the public to embrace safety measures. Among the recommended actions are silencing phones and placing them beyond reach, sort out navigation prior to driving, and maintaining a firm two-handed grip on the steering wheel. And if you’re biting into a burger or dabbing lipstick while driving, think again - multitasking is discouraged. As a passenger, don't shy from calling out a distracted pilot of the car. Urgencies should be dealt with post-pulling over, safely and soundly.
The campaign, backed by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, strives for vigilance on the highways and quiet streets alike. With the crackdown in full swing, there is a message reverberating through the corridors of the Sacramento Police Department - as garnered from the aforecited Sacramento City Express article: "Distracted driving is not only risky; it is deadly. Stay focused, stay alert, and help us keep our roads safe."
