OREGON – We have all seen that person, face buried in a cellphone while driving.
We might even have been that person, as distracted driving is a problem across the nation, including here in Illinois, where the last week of April was Distracted Driving week.
According to the Illinois State Police, 10 people are killed every day in distracted driving crashes. The use of mobile devices is not only illegal, but it is proving to be deadly.
Distracted driving is also a problem in Ogle County. Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle sat down to answer some questions about the problem.
Question: How do you define distracted driving?
Answer: I would define distracted driving as anything that takes your focus away from your responsibility to safely operate a motor vehicle. While we all think of cell phones as “distracted driving” children, friends or pets can distract you from the task of driving.
How bad is the problem in Ogle County?
AAA poll reported within the last 30 days over 49 percent of drivers stated they had used a cell without a hands-free device while driving. In the past week, the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office has responded to three motor vehicle accidents where the driver admitted to distracted driving.
Are cellphones the biggest distraction facing drivers?
Cells are a significant distraction because of the ease of use and the number of activities that can be conducted on a cell phone. Checking Face book certainly qualifies as distracted driving and this type of activity puts you, your passengers and other motorists in danger. It has been said nobody ever died from NOT checking Face book.
What is the age group most likely to be distracted while driving?
In the day in which we live, I do not think anyone is immune to distracted driving.
Are current distracted driving laws enough, or do you think they should be strengthened?
I think the current use laws are adequate. There is a progression related to a number of offenses and severity. To lower rates of distracted driving, it will require more education, but while technology started this problem I think technology could lessen the issue should requirements placed on the auto industry and cell industry to prohibit distracted driving.
