Malden PD received funding through the Municipal Road Safety Grant and will be conducting increased patrols and enforcement during the month of April with a focus on distracted driving.
Distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on our roads. By driving distracted, you're robbing yourself of seconds that you may need to avoid a close call or deadly crash. In 2019, distracted driving killed 3,142 people - a 10% increase from 2018. Young drivers seem more prone to using their phones while driving. According to NHTSA research from 2017, drivers 16 to 24 years old have been observed using handheld electronic devices while driving at higher rates than older drivers have since 2007. But make no mistake: It isn't just young people who are driving distracted, since drivers in other age groups don't lag far behind.
April, which is national Distracted Driving Awareness Month, is a good time to regroup and take responsibility for choices we make when we're on the road. Follow these safety tips for a safe ride every time:
- Need to send a text? Pull over and park your car in a safe location. Only then is it safe to send or read a text.
- Designate your passenger as your "designated texter." Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
- Do not scroll through apps, including social media, while driving. Cell phone use can be habit-forming. Struggling to not text and drive? Put the cell phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of the vehicle until you arrive at your destination.
*Above information courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)