University News

"Just Drive"

April 23, 2019

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MACOMB, IL -- When you're behind the wheel, just drive.

This week marks Distracted Driving Awareness Week in Illinois, while April is designated as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The Western Illinois University Office of Public Safety (OPS) reminds the University community that we all need to join together to eliminate preventable deaths as a result of distracted driving.

According to the National Safety Council, every day, at least nine Americans die and 100 are injured in distracted driving crashes. Cell phones, dashboard touchscreens, voice commands and other in-vehicle technologies pose a threat to everyone's safety.

"The consequences of those distractions are not worth the convenience they offer," OPS Interim Director Derek Watts said. "Ignore the distractions and just drive to keep us all safer on the roads."

Each day, 10 people are killed in distracted driving crashes, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recent survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety showed that while nearly 80 percent of drivers believe texting while driving poses a significant danger, 35 percent report doing so on a regular basis.

"Play an active role in keeping our roads safe by making a commitment to yourself and your loved ones that you will eliminate distractions while driving," Watts added. "When you're behind the wheel, just drive."



Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing