Sheriff’s Office concerned about drivers distracted by phones

According to the Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system — anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.

Texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text that takes your eyes off the road for five seconds is like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed at 55 mph, according to the NHTSA.

Not only is texting and driving unsafe, it’s against the law. While appearing on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse program, Sheridan County Undersheriff Levi Domiquez read the state statute aloud for listeners.

According to Dominguez, deputies on patrol have been reporting an increase in drivers that are distracted by their phones. Dominguez said the deputies have been briefed to more actively watch for those distracted drivers to prevent accidents. 

Sheridan County Sheriff’s Deputy Kody Lamb recommended pulling your vehicle over to the side of the road safely, placing it in park and finishing phone conversations before continuing on your way. Deputy Lamb also reminded listeners that a stop light is not the place to text. 

Distracted driving kills thousands of motorists every year. According to the DOT, distracted driving killed 3,142 motorists in 2019 alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed recommendations to help motorists with distracted driving. Do not multitask while driving. Whether it’s adjusting mirrors, picking the music, eating a sandwich, making a phone call, or reading an email―do it before or after the trip, not during. Motorists can use third party applications to help you avoid cell phone use while driving. Consider trying an app to reduce distractions while driving.