U Drive. U Text. U PAY

Post date: Apr 5, 2016 7:08:25 PM

April is National Distracted Driving Month. Distracted driving is a dangerous epidemic on New Jersey's roadways. Driver inattention has been a major contributing factor in nearly 800,000 motor vehicle crashes in the state from 2010 to 2013 and nationwide, 3,179 were killed in distracted driving crashes in 2014 alone.

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types of distractions include:

- Texting

- Using a cell phone or smartphone

- Eating and drinking

- Talking to passengers

- Grooming

- Reading, including maps

- Using a navigation system

- Watching a video

- Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player

But because text messaging requires visual, manual and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction.