Distracted Driver Awareness Month in April Begins Early with a March Crash

Excuses will likely not go far during Distracted Driver Awareness Month and police are expected to write many tickets.

Already this morning, at the end of March, two cars slammed together sending one over the side of the freeway in Summerland. The driver of a “SMART” car fortunately did not have serious injuries. The California Highway Patrol, at the scene, said a second driver involved appeared to cause the crash while using a cell phone for a mapping system.

Drivers we spoke with said they continue to see distracted drivers, even though messages have been out for years, enforcement is strong, and fines can be painful.

One driver said even though she has two dogs on her front seat, she keeps them under control.

Another admitted to doing her make up but only at red lights, because “I have children in the car,” said Jaimi Ventura. Her husband said he was rear ended by a distracted driver but was not hurt.

On the Santa Barbara Mesa, driver Tara Smith said she saw a car weaving on the freeway and later saw the driver steering with her knees. She called that driver a “total hazard” on the road.

Most of the accidents from distractions are linked to phone calls and texting.

For further information go to:

http://www.ots.ca.gov/Media_and_Research/Campaigns/Distracted_Driving.asp