Distracted Driving Awareness Month: Slow Down and Move Over

Source: WYDOT; End Distracted Driving.org

Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel arrive at crash scenes to save lives. They know firsthand the devastation that comes from inattentive or distracted driving. Too often, they become victims of other drivers on the road while working at crash scenes.

According to a recent survey conducted by the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction and ATT, 98% of Americans agree that texting while driving is dangerous, yet 74% of them admit to doing it anyway. Despite successful distracted driving education and awareness campaigns, people continue to use cell phones and other handheld devices while driving. Knowledge of the risk has not influenced distracted driving behavior.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report estimates an annual average of 4,500 ambulance crashes, with 1,300 injuries and 33 fatalities. The CDC reported that over 3,300 fatalities and 421,000 injuries occurred as a result of distracted driving accidents in 2012. Those at risk of being injured in a collision caused by a distracted driver include drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

Emergency responders are at risk every time they assist people on the side of the road.

According to the Department of Labor, the largest cause of EMT fatalities is related to transportation, at 74%.

In July of 2018, Wyoming passed the “Move Over” law, requiring that all drivers slow down to 20 miles below the speed limit on a two-lane road that is 45 mph or greater when a construction, maintenance, utility, or emergency vehicle of any kind is stopped on a road and move to the lane farthest from the stopped vehicle. Motorists can be fined $235 for failure to comply.

We at Campbell County Health want to encourage our community to slow down and move over when they see or hear an emergency vehicle. It will not only help prevent crashes but also save lives.