Joining Forces focuses on distracted drivers

Law enforcement agencies statewide are Joining Forces and focusing on distracted drivers now through Nov. 13. The Nevada Highway Patrol will be working diligently to urge motorists to keep your eyes on the road and put away cell phones or other items that cause distractions. On average texting takes your eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds. When traveling at 55 mph, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field blindfolded.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said traffic deaths rose 10.4 percent in the first half of 2016 over 2015. That means 1,665 more deaths across the country in six months. And it follows a 7 percent increase in 2015 over 2014, meaning this is a trend. The problem is distracted driving. Far too many of us are fiddling with our phones as we hurtle down the road. Please remember the phone call or text can wait until you have arrived at your destination safely.

The Highway Patrol urges all motorists to keep their focus on the road while operating a motor vehicle, and that everyone arrives safely to their destination free of crashes and or a ticket.

For resources about distracted driving, visit: http://www.distraction.gov/stats-research-laws/facts-and-statistics.html.

For more information on Joining Forces and other statewide traffic safety programs, visit http://www.zerofatalitiesnv.com. Follow Zero Fatalities Nevada on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and @ZeroFatalitiesNV.