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Morgan Dean
Senior Specialist, Public and Government Affairs, VA
C: (804) 543-7190
mdean@aaamidatlantic.com
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA (Thursday, October 1, 2020)— In Virginia, 120 people died in 23,246 distracted driving crashes in 2019 according to data from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. Nationwide, nearly 3,000 people are killed in crashes involving a distracted driver, contributing to the 36,560 lives lost to crashes on U.S. roadways in 2018. AAA urges all drivers to pay attention and focus on the road during this National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and all year long.
“Focused drivers save lives,” said Martha Meade, AAA Manager of Public and Government Affairs. “There is no text message worth reading or sending when injuring or killing someone is the potential cost.”
Starting on January 1, 2021, HB874/SB160 allows for drivers in Virginia to be fined for holding a handheld personal communications device while behind the wheel. The previous law, passed in 2009, only forbid texting and emailing while driving and was difficult for officers to enforce. The HandHeld Personal Device Ban became law on July 1, 2020, but won’t be enforced until January, 2021 to allow for six months of education and public awareness. Fines for a first offense are $125, second and subsequent offenses are $250.
Distractions include more than texting. Anything that diverts attention from driving – eating and drinking, adjusting the navigation, or picking your next podcast, talking to other passengers, or talking or texting on the phone—can result in a fatal injury. Despite what some drivers may think, hands-free is not risk-free. Even with your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel, you are not safe unless your mind focuses on the drive. Looking away from the road for just two seconds doubles the risk of a crash.
AAA’s on-going “Don’t Drive Intoxicated. Don’t Drive Intexticated.” campaign aims to make distracted driving socially unacceptable, much like drinking and driving. It was launched in Virginia and several other states last year as AAA continues its longstanding efforts to improve road, vehicle and driver safety.
“We recognize that changing attitudes and behaviors when it comes to distracted driving will take time and a true commitment from all road users,” Meade added.
Here are AAA’s Top Tips to Avoid Distractions While Driving:
Are you traveling soon or want to check Distracted Driving Laws in other nearby states? You can do that at AAA’s Digest of Motor Laws.
Take the pledge to not drive distracted by visiting AAA.com/dontdrivedistracted.
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VA Mailing Address:
9210 Arboretum Pkwy, Ste 290
Richmond, VA 23236
AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 60 million members nationwide and more than one million members in Virginia. AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization works on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android.
For more information, visit www.AAA.com.
Martha Meade
Public Relations Manager, VA
O: (804) 323-6510 (ext. 4466510)
C: (804) 543-7190
mmeade@aaamidatlantic.com
Who's in the Driver's Seat? The Transformation of Transportation
On Tuesday, October 17, 2017, AAA and TEDx Wilmington held the first TEDx Salon dedicated to ideas worth spreading in transportation.
This event had:
View a slideshow from the event
This TEDx WilmingtonSalon was organized in partnership with AAA
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