'Better Left Unread Than Dead': Westborough Police Target Distracted Drivers

WESTBOROUGH, MA—Put down the cell phone. It's not that important. It can't wait. While this message has become more prominent in our minds, there is what is considered to be a historic rise in fatal crashes due to distracted driving. Started on April 7 and ending on April 28, the Highway Safety Division of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security is supporting a statewide effort to help police departments enforce and educate on the "distracted driving" campaign.

Many local departments are taking part in the campaign, including Westborough, which has been participating for the last two weeks.

Massachusetts law prohibits adult drivers from writing, sending, or reading electronic messages, interacting with apps or browsing the internet while driving even if stopped at a light. Teen drivers under 18 are prohibited entirely from using mobile phones and other electronic devices while driving. Fines go as high as $500.00. Teen drivers can also lose their license for up to one year.A grant from the HSD has allowed for extra officers out on patrol to target specific concerns associated with distracted driving.

The National Safety Council recently announced that 2016 may have been the deadliest year on our roads since 2007, with almost 40,000 deaths in motor vehicles crashes, according to an announcement sent out by Amica. One of the upward trends behind these statistics is distracted driving. Whether it’s texting, making a call or adjusting the navigation system, more drivers are taking their eyes off the road, said the release.
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and Amica is sharing the following driving safety tips from the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America:

• Plan ahead and allow extra travel time: If using an electronic navigation system, check the directions before leaving to make sure you know where you’re going. Blindly following GPS systems can cause accidents.

• Observe speed limits, including lower speeds in work zones: Stay focused on the road, and be aware of changing traffic patterns caused by construction.

• Keep eyes on the road: When the entire family is in the car, including pets, distractions can multiply. Never allow a pet to ride in your lap while driving. And remember that eating in the car can be just as distracting as using a cellphone.

• Use safe phone habits: If making a call from the road, use voice-activated dialing or ask a passenger to make the call. Let voicemail pick up calls when driving alone. Don’t text while driving, and if you must use the phone or send a text, pull off the road to a safe location.

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