PennDOT reminds drivers to focus on the road

(Harrisburg) — PennDot has joined the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in recognizing April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and reminds all motorists that driving is a skill that requires their undivided attention.

PennDot Secretary Leslie Richards says “Every time someone diverts their attention from the task of driving – even for a second – they are putting themselves and others at risk.”

PennDot says nearly 15,000 crashes involved a distracted driver in Pennsylvania last year. 66 people died.

PennDOT recommends that drivers follow these simple safety tips:

• Store or turn off cell phones while driving.  If you must make an emergency call, safely pull over to the side of the road.
• If traveling alone, set your GPS, radio and temperature controls before beginning your trip.
• If traveling with pets, be sure that they are properly restrained.  Better yet, leave them at home.  Even a minor crash can result in a major injury to a pet if it is not properly restrained.
• Never operate your vehicle and attend to a child at the same time.
• If you drop an object while driving, leave it until you reach your destination or pull over safely to the side of the road before retrieving it.

For more information on distracted driving and the state’s anti-texting law, visit www.justdrivepa.org and look under “Traffic Safety Information.”