Distracted driving must be avoided

Think about all the ways in which cellphones have enhanced our lives.

These devices have provided us with an easy, quick and convenient way to place phone calls, send text messages, complete commercial transactions, listen to music, watch videos, and entertain and inform ourselves.

Unfortunately, the cellphone also has created an unintended consequence by becoming a major cause of distracted driving.

In fact, at any given daylight moment across America, about 660,000 drivers are using cellphones or manipulating electronic devices while driving, a number that has held steady since 2010, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The NHTSA also reported that in 2015, there were 3,477 people killed and an estimated additional 391,000 people injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.

Although many public information campaigns have been carried out in recent years to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, and prevent and end this practice, area law enforcement officials say the majority of motorists are still driving while distracted.

In fact, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Frank Leonbruno said when he was driving to work one day in an unmarked car, nearly every person who drove past him was talking on the phone.

“After several years of trying to fight texting and driving, we are not seeing any evidence that it is working,” Leonbruno said. “We are definitely seeing an increase. I would say about 70 percent of people drive distracted. They are becoming more and more dependent to their cellphones.”

Leonbruno said the increasing number of drivers using cellphones behind the wheel is “a major cause of accidents.”

Statewide, distracted driving also is having a deadly impact. In 2017, there were 51 fatal Ohio traffic crashes involving driver distraction, compared with 26 fatal crashes of the same type in 2016, according to provisional data from the Ohio Highway Patrol.

OHP also reports that texting and other electronic violations are on the rise.

Before going any further, let’s make clear that cellphones

... it’s our hope that all motorists will agree that driving safely requires our full attention.

are not the only contributing factors to distracteddriving crashes.

OHP Lt. Charles Gullett, who had served as Chardon Post commander until recently transferring to a new assignment, said discouraging distracted driving is challenging because it does not always involve cellphones.

“It could be someone changing the radio station or looking at (a GPS),” he said.

There are also distracteddriving crashes in which technology plays no role. Gullett cited a recent crash probed by the OHP Chardon Post involving a semi truck crashing into another vehicle. The truck driver admitted to reaching down into a cup holder looking for something and taking his eyes off the road, Gullett said.

But let’s be honest: Cellphones have become so ubiquitous, and are used so often by motorists, they can’t help but increase the likelihood of distracted-driving crashes.

When you’re out driving, it’s not uncommon, or difficult, to notice passing motorists with their eyes focusing downward intermittently (or for more sustained periods) rather than on the road.

And it’s not easy to get people to put their cellphones away while they’re driving.

In a study, 60 percent of college students admit they may be addicted to their cellphone and some indicated they get agitated when it is not in sight, said James Roberts, who is a researcher and professor at Baylor University.

So the question to consider might be: What else can be done in the United States to reduce, or eliminate, cellphone use as one of the major reasons for distracted driving?

It’s certainly a timely topic in April during the observance of National Distracted Driving Month.

We’ll offer a few parting thoughts of our own.

First, it’s our hope that all motorists will agree that driving safely requires our full attention.

Motorists cannot afford to let their eyes and minds be diverted from the mission of safely operating their vehicles.

“Taking your eyes off the road for even a short period of time causes accidents,” said Lt. Gullett of the OHP.

As for the specific practice of cellphone use while driving, we’d like to see everyone break the habit.

The text you want to send or read, or the call you desire to make on your cellphone while operating a vehicle can wait.

Be smart and safe, and don’t add to the already excessive number of crashes caused by distracted driving.