FORNEY, Texas — The Forney Police Department will host a Safety Day, in conjunction with the Texas Department of Transportation’s “Talk, Text, Crash” campaign, on Friday, June 30, 2017.
FORNEY, Texas — The Forney Police Department will host a Safety Day, in conjunction with the Texas Department of Transportation’s “Talk, Text, Crash” campaign, on Friday, June 30, 2017.
The Safety Day will be held at Walmart, located at 802 East U.S. Highway 80, from 9 a.m. until noon.
“The Police Department will have provide safety handouts and explain the dangers if you do decide to text/talk and drive,” stated the Forney Police Department. “There will also be several other activities including child fingerprinting.”
“With 1 in 5 traffic crashes in Texas now caused by the growing problem of distracted driving, TxDOT’s annual Talk, Text, Crash campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the dangers associated with distracted driving and encouraging Texans to put away their cell phones while driving,” stated the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
“In 2016, there were 109,658 traffic crashes in Texas involving distracted driving—up 3 percent over 2015,” stated TxDOT. “More than 3,000 people were seriously injured as a result, and 455 died.”
TxDOT says these crashes are highest among new and younger drivers between the ages of 16 and 34.
Additional information from TxDOT’s Talk, Text, Crash campaign page:
What is distracted driving?
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. While mobile phone use is the most recognizable driving distraction, TxDOT also urges drivers to avoid the following high-risk behind-the-wheel activities:
• Posting to social media
• Checking email
• Eating
• Grooming
• Reading
• Programming a navigation system
• Watching a video
• Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player
What are ways to end distracted driving?
The best way to end distracted driving is to educate all Texans about the danger it poses. Any type of behavior that draws a motorist’s attention away from driving is dangerous. Some simple tips to end distracted driving include:
• Always give driving your full attention.
• Put your phone away—or turn it off—before you get behind the wheel.
• Pull off the road to a safe location before talking on the phone or texting.
• Tell friends, family, and coworkers you won’t respond to calls or texts when driving.
• Use a smartphone app that sends auto-reply texts when you’re behind the wheel.
• Spread the word. Tell your friends and family about the dangers of distracted driving.
Remember: you talk, you text, you crash.
