When: 10:30AM Wednesday, April 3rd
Where: Maine Department of Public Safety (Front entrance outside or Fallen Heros room) Central Maine Commerce Center 500 Civic Center Dr, Augusta, ME 04330
Who: Pat Moody, AAA Northern New England, Shenna Bellows, Maine Secretary of State, Lauren Stewart, Director Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, Maine State Police, TBD
During National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, Maine’s safety leaders are reminding drivers about the consequences of distraction behind the wheel. As part of its campaign, “Don’t Drive Intoxicated. Don’t Drive Intexticated,” AAA will join Maine’s Safety Leaders, in an effort to make this dangerous driving habit as socially unacceptable as impaired driving.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), In 2022 there were 3,308 people killed and nearly 290,000 people injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers. These numbers equate to approximately 9 lives lost every day and 1000 peopled injured due to distracted driving in the United States.
In Maine between 2020 – 2023, 49 people were killed in distracted driving related crashes, which is 8% of all traffic fatalities. However, the true numbers of deaths and injuries are likely much higher because distracted driving is often underreported and/or difficult to determine as the cause of a crash. "Good, focused driving habits start at a young age, and are influenced by the driving that young drivers observe from the adults in their lives," said Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, whose Department oversees driver education and licensing. "Parents and guardians: Put down the phone when you're driving, focus on the road, and make sure the young drivers in your life do the same."
NHTSA’s Put the Phone Away or Pay campaign reminds drivers of the deadly dangers and the legal consequences – including fines – of texting and other forms of messaging behind the wheel. In 49 states, texting while driving is illegal. From April 4-8, you will see an increase in police enforcing texting and distracted-driving laws.
“You don’t need to wear a badge to make a difference in distracted driving behavior”, said Lauren Stewart, Director of Maine Bureau of Highway Safety. “We can all play a part in the fight to save lives by modeling safe driving behavior and speaking up if you see someone distracted.”
AAA and Maine EMS have begun the implementation of HAAS Alerts Safety Cloud. This technology alerts other motorists that they are approaching an emergency vehicle with their lights engaged through mapping apps like Waze or Apple Maps or through built-in technology within Stellantis vehicles (Jeep, Dodge, Ram, and Chrysler).
A recent study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals the number of roadside assistance providers struck and killed while working on the side of the road is four times higher than what is reported. With these digital alerts, AAA members and tow operators will be better protected. Studies have found driver advanced warning systems, like digital alerting, reduce the likelihood of a collision by up to 90% and reduce hard braking near roadway incidents by 80%.
“Too often, the lives of our members stranded at roadside and our heroic tow technicians who come to their rescue are put in unnecessary danger by inattentive and risky drivers,” said Pat Moody, AAA Northern New England. “By automatically alerting nearby drivers to the location of an emergency roadside assistance call in real time, we can reduce the likelihood that drivers are distracted when approaching a tow truck on the side of the road.”
Tips to Help You Prevent Driving Intexticated
- Put it Away Place your mobile device out of sight to prevent temptation.
- Know Where You're Going If using a navigation system, program your destination before driving.
- Pull Over If you have to call or text while driving, pull off the road safely and stop first.
- Ask Passengers for Help If riding with someone, seek their help to navigate, make a call or send a message.
- Be a Good Passenger Speak up if the driver of your vehicle is distracted.
- Don't be a Distraction Avoid calling or texting others when you know they are driving.
- Use the Driving Focus Feature While Driving
AAA and it’s highway partners offer some safe driving tips for those motorists who are driving during the solar eclipse
- Don't watch the solar eclipse while you are driving. Instead, find a safe place to park to observe.
- Don’t stop along the interstate or park on the shoulder of a road during the event.
- Watch out for pedestrians and cyclists People may be parking, walking and cycling alongside the road before the eclipse to get a view. Look for pedestrians who also may be looking up and not looking ahead.
- Road Conditions- Montior road conditions and be cautious driving onto rural roads and parking areas that might be snow covered/muddy and render your vehicle stuck in the mud.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: |
Pat Moody |
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AAA Northern New England |
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Phone: (207) 780-6916 Cell (207)838-8957 |
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E-Mail: pmoody@nne.aaa.com |