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Tigard Police Embarking On Distracted Driving Safety Campaign

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	City of Tigard 13125 SW Hall Blvd. Tigard, Oregon 97223	Press Release January 8, 2013
For Immediate Release
Contact:	Jim Wolf, Public Information Officer Tigard Police Department 503-718-2561 Pager: 503-795-2391 jim@tigard-or.gov

Tigard Police Embarking On Distracted Driving Safety Campaign
The risks of driving while distracted are thoroughly documented. According to AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, using a cell phone while driving quadruples the risk of a crash. Driver inattention is a factor in more than one million traffic crashes in the U.S. each year, with consequences from serious injury to death. The economic impact of driving while distracted has an annual tab of nearly 40 billion dollars. A recent study found that 95% of drivers polled were aware of the risks involving texting while driving. Of those, 18 % revealed they either sent or read one or more text messages while driving in the past month. With smart phone usage on a dramatic rise-those numbers and statistics will likely grow.

In a twelve-month period last year, Tigard Police officers issued over 600 citations for �Unlawful Use of a Mobile Communicative Device.� The actual number of motorists contacted is much higher when considering the additional warnings which officers also issued to other violators. In any event, the impetus for safety still remains on the driver. To that end, Tigard Police will be stepping-up enforcement as well embarking on a public educational campaign to heighten the awareness regarding the dangers of driving while distracted. However, distracted driving doesn�t stop at cell phone usage. Did you know that a driver can be cited for operating a motor vehicle when a pet is positioned on their lap? ORS 815.270 refers to �Operating vehicle that is loaded or equipped to obstruct driver.� In essence, anything which prevents the free, unhampered operation of the vehicle is also construed as driving distracted.

State Farm recently awarded a grant to Tigard Police in efforts to bring awareness to the perils of driving while distracted. With the aid of PSAs, media partners, printed materials and discussion; the hopes of reducing traffic crashes and the collateral damages will be paramount. Do your part—drive safely. Learn more about driving while distracted at www.distraction.gov.