The Milwaukee Post

April is National Distracted Driving Month By MATT MASTERSON Conley News Service MILWAUKEE — Five seconds. That's how long a driver's eyes are off the road, on average, when composing and sending a text while behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, when trav- eling at 55 mph, five seconds with your eyes off the road is the equivalent of driv- ing the length of a football field blindfold- ed. To remind people of the dangers of tex- ting while driving and other multitasking activities behind the wheel, Congress has designated April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. David Pabst, director of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Safety, said that five-sec- ond statistic puts into perspective just how serious distracted driving can be. "We just hope they realize that driving while texting and distracted driving is dangerous, it truly is," Pabst said. In addition to texting, Pabst said drivers who are simply talking on the phone are also three to four times more likely to be in an accident. According to WisDOT data, there were more than 22,000 crashes in Wisconsin last year where at least one driver was listed as driving inattentively. Those crashes killed 71 people and injured nearly 10,000 more. According to a recent study from Erie Insurance, which polled 1,915 drivers nationwide aged 18 and older, 30 percent of participants admitted to texting and driv- ing, while 75 percent more said they have seen others doing it. Other distracting activities drivers admitted to included romantic encounters (15 percent of respondents), changing clothes (9 per- cent), taking selfies (4 percent) and going to the bathroom (3 percent). As of March 30, there have been 99 traf- fic deaths recorded on Wisconsin roads in 2015, including 14 in Milwaukee County. Pabst said the department has not yet delved into those numbers deeply enough to determine how many were related to inattentive drivers. The statewide total is actually slightly above last year's pace — which with 498 traffic deaths was the lowest for the state since 1943 — but 2015 is so far in line with Wisconsin's five-year average for total traffic deaths. "We are hoping to have a better year than last year," he said, "because the goal is zero deaths, of course, and we just hope the pattern holds true." Last year, there were 66 recorded traffic deaths in Milwaukee County — slightly above the county's five-year average of 57, and up from the 47 and 59 deaths seen in 2013 and 2012 respectively. Focusing on cellphones While numerous actions have distract- ing effects on drivers, significant public and legislative attention has focused on talking and texting on cellphones. Wisconsin law prohibits texting while driving, and drivers with an instruction permit or probationary license — which includes many teenagers — are prohibited from using a cellphone while driving except in an emergency. To prevent distracted driving, WisDOT suggests turning off cellphones or turning them to silent while driving; asking a pas- senger to make a call or text for you; down- loading a mobile app that prevents texting while driving; or pulling over to a safe area if a call is absolutely necessary. "Despite laws to prevent distracted driv- ing, too many people still regularly talk or text on cellphones while behind the wheel," Pabst said. "They search for things on the seats, floors or compart- ments. They eat a meal. They use the rear view mirror to comb their hair or apply makeup. "Their attention is focused everywhere except where it should be, which is on the road." Email: mmasterson@conleynet.com 2 • Milwaukee County Post • April 3, 2015 DOT: Inattentive driving linked to 71 deaths statewide in 2014 volume 21, issue number 14 The Milwaukee Post (ISSN 1544-1776) is published weekly by Conley Media, Milwaukee County 3397 South Howell Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53207 For all departments call: 414.744.6370 news display and advertising FAX: 414.744.6884 Classifieds: 800-762-6219 ext. 5005 Classified Fax: 262-334-6252 For display advertising inquires: Daryl Skaradzinski: General Manager - ext. 13 dskaradzinski@conleynet.com For editorial questions: Dan Muckelbauer Editor 262-513-2626 dmuck@conleynet.com POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Milwaukee Post 3397 S. Howell Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53207 Periodicals Postage Paid at Milwaukee, WI. 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