According to the National Safety Council (NSC), about 4.57 million people in the US required medical attention from motor vehicle crashes in 2017. The NSC reports that more than 40,000 people died in 2016 and again in 2017 from car crashes. According to their site:
- Every 7 seconds, someone is injured in a car crash
- Every 15 minutes, someone is killed
According to the Washington State Department of Transportation Crash Data Portal, there were over 11,000 crashes in 2017 that were the result of distracted driving. Of those crashes, 88 resulted in someone’s death and 200 more resulted in serious injuries.
To try and reduce these numbers WA passed the “Driving Under the Influence of Electronics” (E-DUI) law and this month law enforcement officials are out looking for distracted drivers. The first E-DUI ticket is $136 and if you get a second within five years it will cost you $234, and all information about cellphone infractions will be available to insurance companies.
When you drive, the NSC recommends you:
- Buckle up
- Use a designated driver
- Get plenty of sleep to avoid driving tired
- Drive attentively
- Avoid distractions
This April, and every month after, put down your phone and focus on your drive.
