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Distracted Driving Awareness

(December 21, 2022) The Cape Coral Police Department has partnered with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to educate our residents on how distracted driving affects our roadways. Distracted driving includes anything that takes the driver's attention away from the vital task of driving. 

There are three types of distraction: 

*Manual, which is taking hands off the wheel.

*Visual or taking eyes off the road.

*Cognitive, which involves taking one's mind off driving. 

Discussions about distracted driving often center on cell phone use and texting. Still, other activities such as eating, talking to passengers, reading, adjusting the radio or climate controls, dealing with children, and being fatigued or exhausted can be equally distracting.

Driver distraction is a rapidly growing problem as handheld communication devices, and other technologies continue to advance. 

Recommendations:

Never Talk or Text on Your Cellphone While Driving: Though hands-free systems seem helpful, they're not the solution. Keep your mind on the road. 

Plan: Know where you are going before you get in the car. Program the GPS before you drive. Check weather and road conditions beforehand to be prepared. 

Manage Your Time: Don't be in such a hurry that you must speed or drive aggressively on the road. 

Scan and Look Ahead: Look down the roadway to ensure that you are always aware of others on the road. Be prepared for the unpredictability of others. 

Concentrate: Think about what you are doing while driving. Make sure you are not upset or tired when getting on the road. Keep passengers quiet and calm. 

Pull Over: If you need to do something that will take your eyes or mind off the road, pull over and stop first. Do not reach or lean while driving. 

Slow Down: Drive at a safe speed so you can be aware of what other drivers are doing and have time to react. 

Buckle Up: Always wear your seat belt and ensure all passengers are buckled up. You are less likely to be distracted or involved in a crash if you and your passengers are secured in your seat.

Our goal is to educate our residents on the dangers of distracted driving. Increased traffic enforcement activities will help us gain compliance, ultimately resulting in safer roadways. This specific distracted driving enforcement will help reduce traffic crashes and injuries within the City of Cape Coral. It is a collaborative effort to make our roads safer for all who travel. This effort starts with all of our residents and visitors.

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