April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Hello !  This week, we’re going to focus on what we consider to be a vitally important topic that ALL of us, as drivers, need to be reminded of :  distracted driving and the dangers therein.

All of us face distractions when we drive.   Distractions these days are numerous and include flashy, brightly-lit electronic billboards, in-vehicle telematics / navigation systems, and of course, the most pesky distraction of all – our cell phones.  Have you been driving at night and been nearly ‘blinded’ by the brightness and intensity of some of the newer electronic billboards that are popping up on roadsides ? How about the distraction of the screen / telematics system on your own dashboard ?  Unfortunately, all of these ‘distractions’ can cause us to take our eyes off the road and to lose our ‘focus’ on the important task at hand – being safe and defensive drivers.

Of the many distractions we as drivers are facing, the cell phone probably presents the biggest risk.  Whether talking, texting, navigating, surfing, or snapping selfies (yep, we’ve actually seen it on the freeway !), the cell phone can cause major distractions, to the point where driving is no longer the focus of our attention.  That’s when problems can arise and accidents happen.  The risk of having a mishap increases dramatically when cell phones are used while driving.

The National Safety Council has a mission:  to eliminate preventable deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy.  It is unfortunate to note that statistics show motor vehicle fatalities are up 6% from 2015.  Distractions such as those noted above are major contributors, and many are preventable.  This month is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Council provides many resources to help educate and remind us about the inherent dangers that distracted driving presents.  

Please, take a moment to reflect on the importance of the importance of staying focused while driving, and if you have teen drivers in your household, remind them to be safe and responsible behind the wheel.  It’s a positive message from which all of us benefit.

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Please remember :  if you have a vehicle AND it is under the manufacturer’s warranty, you are entitled to fair treatment and getting the problem fixed in a timely manner.  In many cases, the manufacturer will repurchase your vehicle, and may even have to pay civil penalties and or reimbursement of your expenses. It helps to understand your rights as a consumer, and the California Lemon Law expert is here to help you or someone you may know who is in this situation.  If your vehicle is not functioning properly and is under warranty, you have rights under the law that you need to thoroughly understand.

source:  The National Safety Council