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    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 

     

    Just Drive: That text isn't worth your life

    April 14, 2017
    Blog Header Image

    ​Nearly 15,000 crashes involving a distracted driver (PDF) were reported in Pennsylvania in 2015. Of those, 61 were fatal.

    2015 yearly fatalities infographic

    Nationwide, 3,477 people were killed in crashes involving distracted drivers. Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that, during daylight hours, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cellphones while driving.

    But not you, right? You don't ever use a cellphone while behind the wheel.

    The truth is, anything that causes you to take your attention away from driving, take your eyes off the road, or take your hands off the wheel is a distraction. Sure, cellphones are a good chunk of the problem these days, but distracted driving also includes eating and drinking, flipping through the radio, and chatting with passengers. Even rubbernecking — you know, when you just can't take your eyes off that crash scene you are passing — is distracted driving.

     

    TEXTING-WHILE-DRIVING BAN

    In Pennsylvania, we have a texting-while-driving ban — established in 2012 — that prohibits drivers from using cellphones and other devices to send texts, instant messages, emails, or browsing the internet while driving. This is considered a primary offense, which means you can be pulled over solely for the reason of using a device for electronic communications, and comes with a $50 fine, if convicted.

    Additionally, in November 2016, Governor Tom Wolf signed "Daniel's Law," which enhances the penalties for an accident caused by texting while driving resulting in serious bodily injury or death. Under the law, drivers who text and cause a fatality will receive a five-year jail sentence; drivers who cause bodily injury while texting and driving will receive a two-year jail sentence.

     

    GET INVOLVED

    April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month — a time when PennDOT and organizations around the country focus on reminding drivers to put the phone down, remove distractions, and just drive.

    texting and driving lead to the dark side

    NHTSA offers several suggestions for ways you can get involved, including sharing messages on social media, leading by example, and spreading the word at school. You can also take the pledge to not drive distracted via AT&T's It Can Wait campaign, or download the AT&T DriveMode App to minimize distractions while driving.

    If you're interested in getting involved with PennDOT, contact your regional safety press officer or join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram​ using #JustDrivePA.​​​

    ABOUT THIS BLOG

    Did you know PennDOT is directly responsible for nearly 40,000 miles of highway and roughly 25,000 bridges? We oversee programs and policies affecting highways, urban and rural public transportation, airports, railroads, ports and waterways, in addition to administering the state's more than 11 million vehicle registrations and 8.8 million driver's licenses.

    So, how do we do what we do? And how can we help you travel in Pennsylvania — whether it be for business or leisure — in safe and enjoyable manner? Read PennDOT Way to learn more about the department, what we do, and how and why we do it.​

    TAGS

    50-Year Anniversary, 511PA, Aggressive Driving, Airports, Autonomous Vehicles, Bicycles, Bridges, Child Safety, Community Relations, Construction, COVID-19, Distracted Driving, District 1, District 10, District 11, District 12, District 2, District 3, District 4, District 5, District 6, District 8, District 9, DOTcom, Driver and Vehicle Services, Emergency Responders, Employment, Equity, FAQ Friday, Human Trafficking, Impaired Driving, Innovations, Live Free Ride Alive, Maintenance Monday, Motorcycles, Older Drivers, PA Motorcycle Safety Program, Pedestrians, PennDOT Connects, Ports, Public Transit, Railroads, REAL ID, Road MaP, Roadside Beautification, Rural Roads, Safety, School Buses, Seat Belts, State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC), Sustainability, Teen Drivers, Throwback Thursday, Transportation Funding, Travel in PA, Welcome Centers, Winter, Work Smart, Work Zone, Yellow Dot

     

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