The rise of newer technology in vehicles has brought with it an increased level of distracted driving by adults and the California Highway Patrol is hoping to bring the number of incidents down through a yearlong grant from the Office of Traffic Safety.

The Adult Distracted Drivers campaign will combine education and enforcement to combat distracted driving. The focus of the education component is to help a person understand anything that diverts a driver’s eyes or attention from the roadway, even for a second or two, can result in tragedy.
 
“For your safety and for the well-being of those around you, keep your eyes on the road and not on your phone,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “Nothing on that phone is worth endangering a life.”
 
The CHP reminds motorists that it is illegal to use a cell phone while driving unless it is hands-free. The more technology a car has, the more distractions it may present to the driver. Multitasking increases the risk a driver will injure or kill themselves, their passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, or people in other vehicles.
 
With this grant, the CHP will complete a minimum of 100 distracted driving enforcement operations and at least 600 traffic safety presentations statewide by the end of September 2018.
 
“Our goal with this grant is to further educate the public about the hazards associated with distracted driving and ultimately stop the potentially deadly behavior,” Commissioner Stanley added.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from OTS through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.