Distracted Driving Doesn’t Only Entail Phone Use; mp3s, GPS Systems also Illegal

Fact. Research has found that using a cell phone behind the wheel makes a driver four times more likely to get into a crash serious enough to cause injury.

Fact. When sending or receiving text messaging behind the wheel, a driver’s eyes are off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, equivalent to driving the length of a football field at 65 miles per hours.

Fact. The likelihood of crashes dramatically rise when your actions require a combination of visual, manual and cognitive attention

These facts should be enough for drivers to pay attention while behind the wheel, but they aren't since there are more than 3,500 distraction related crashes every year in the state of Nevada.

Since the Nevada ban on handheld devices while driving went into effect three years ago, offenders are still pulled over and cited every day.

Between Feb. 12 and Feb. 23, Nevada’s Joining Forces law enforcement team will be cracking down on distracted drivers throughout the state. Nevada law clearly states that any use of a handheld electronic device—cell phone, mp3 player, GPS device, etc.—while driving is illegal and offenders will be pulled over and cited.

Law enforcement reminds motorists this increased enforcement isn’t just limited to cell phone use behind the wheel. Surfing the Internet, using a GPS or changing the song on your mp3 player are all illegal distractions taking motorists’ eyes off the road and causing crashes.

Visit their website for more facts, figures and information: www.ZeroFatalitiesNV.com/focus.