Newark Police Participating in National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Information provided by Newark Police Nixle Alerts—

Be mindful of distractions that take your focus off the road! 

The Newark Police Department along with the California Highway Patrol, and other local Law Enforcement Agencies will be vigilant for those drivers who are engaged in activities likely to cause distracted driving. 

While the most common behaviors include talking on non-hands free cell phones and texting, other distractions cans can be reading maps, books, and newspapers, eating, drinking, using computers, changing CD’s/radio stations, adjusting temperature, and even applying make-up. 

Essentially, anything that diverts a driver’s attention away from the primary tasks of navigating a vehicle and responding to critical events can prove to have devastating consequences. The National Safety Council estimates 1.4 million traffic accidents occur annually due to distracted driving behaviors. 

We want you to note while using hands-free technology is legal, the risks associated with being distracted while talking on them are ever-present. Parents and teens are also reminded that drivers under the age of 18 are precluded from even using hands-free technology while driving. 

[Related article: Bay Area Law Enforcement Cracking Down on 'Distracted…]

The Newark Police Department is committed to seeing a decrease in the number of traffic collisions that are caused by distracted driving. This however can only be accomplished through the diligent awareness and cooperation of the public. We are working in conjunction with the CHP and the public to curtail the senseless loss of lives and injuries caused by distracted driving.