Distracted Driving

1. Presented by: Captain Scott A. Rotolo
Wooster Police Department
Distracted Driving

2. Distracted Drivers,
People are dying to get
your attention!!!

3. What is distracted
Driving?
According to Distraction.gov, distracted driving is defined
as :
“any non-driving activity a person engages in
that has the potential to distract him or her from
the primary task of driving and increase the risk
of crashing.”
Driving is a skill that requires your full attention to safely
control your vehicle and respond to events happening
around you. Distractions are anything that takes your
attention off the primary task of driving.

4. WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?
• 4511.204 Driving while texting.
• (A) No person shall drive a motor vehicle,
trackless trolley, or streetcar on any street,
highway, or property open to the public for
vehicular traffic while using a handheld
electronic wireless communications device to
write, send, or read a text-based communication.

5. Law continued…
• (B) Division (A) of this section does not apply to
any of the following:
• (1) A person using a handheld electronic
wireless communications device in that manner
for emergency purposes, including an
emergency contact with a law enforcement
agency, hospital or health care provider, fire
department, or other similar emergency agency
or entity;

6. • (2) A person driving a public safety vehicle who
uses a handheld electronic wireless
communications device in that manner in the
course of the person's duties;
• (3) A person using a handheld electronic
wireless communications device in that manner
whose motor vehicle is in a stationary position
and who is outside a lane of travel;

7. • (4) A person reading, selecting, or entering a
name or telephone number in a handheld
electronic wireless communications device for the
purpose of making or receiving a telephone call;
• (5) A person receiving wireless messages on a
device regarding the operation or navigation of a
motor vehicle; safety-related information,
including emergency, traffic, or weather alerts; or
data used primarily by the motor vehicle;

8. • (6) A person receiving wireless messages via
radio waves;
• (7) A person using a device for navigation
purposes;
• (8) A person conducting wireless interpersonal
communication with a device that does not
require manually entering letters, numbers, or
symbols or reading text messages, except to
activate, deactivate, or initiate the device or a
feature or function of the device;

9. • (9) A person operating a commercial truck while
using a mobile data terminal that transmits and
receives data;
• (10) A person using a handheld electronic
wireless communications device in conjunction
with a voice-operated or hands-free device
feature or function of the vehicle.

10. Can we stop an adult if we see you
texting OR if you call us to report
someone texting while driving?
NOPE

11. • 1) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no law
enforcement officer shall cause an operator of an automobile
being operated on any street or highway to stop the automobile
for the sole purpose of determining whether a violation of division
(A) of this section has been or is being committed or for the sole
purpose of issuing a ticket, citation, or summons for a violation of
that nature or causing the arrest of or commencing a prosecution
of a person for a violation of that nature, and no law enforcement
officer shall view the interior or visually inspect any automobile
being operated on any street or highway for the sole purpose of
determining whether a violation of that nature has been or is
being committed.
• IT’S A SECONDARY OFFENSE… (ORD 333.11)

12. So how do we enforce this law?
• If we observe a primary violation like:
• Speed
• Traffic control device
• Expired registration
• OR
• We can prove that you were texting AND it
caused a motor vehicle crash.

13. HOW DO WE ENFORCE
CONTINUED…
• If we stop you for the primary offense or we have
probable cause to believe that someone was
texting as they crashed, we can cite you for the
primary violation AND 4511.204
HOWEVER, HB 95 IS IN THE SENATE
AWAITING PASSAGE. IT WILL ENHANCE
THE PENALTIES FOR THIS OFFENSE (LIKE
SPEEDING IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE).

14. What about juvenile drivers?
• 4511.205 Use of devices by persons under 18 years of age.
• (A) No holder of a temporary instruction permit who has not
attained the age of eighteen years and no holder of a
probationary driver's license shall drive a motor vehicle on any
street, highway, or property used by the public for purposes of
vehicular traffic or parking while using in any manner an
electronic wireless communications device.

15. • B) Division (A) of this section does not apply to either of the following:
• (1) A person using an electronic wireless communications device for
emergency purposes, including an emergency contact with a law enforcement
agency, hospital or health care provider, fire department, or other similar
emergency agency or entity;
• (2) A person using an electronic wireless communications device whose motor
vehicle is in a stationary position and the motor vehicle is outside a lane of
travel;
• (3) A person using a navigation device in a voice-operated or hands-free
manner who does not manipulate the device while driving.
• (C)
• (1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, whoever violates
division (A) of this section shall be fined one hundred fifty dollars. In addition,
the court shall impose a class seven suspension of the offender's driver's
license or permit for a definite period of sixty days.
• THIS ONE IS A PRIMARY OFFENSE!

16. WE’VE TALKED ABOUT TEXTING,
WHAT ABOUT OTHER “DISTRACTIONS”
• We’re also going to speak about other
distractions that whereas there’s not a specific
law (other than failure to control, full time and
attention Wooster ORD 331.34 (c) can have just
as tragic of an outcome.

17. Types of Distractions:
There are 3 types of distractions:
Visual Distractions: Anything that
takes your eyes off the road.
Manual Distractions: Anything
that takes your hands off the steering
wheel.
Cognitive Distractions: Anything
that takes your mind off driving.

18. Distractions:
All distractions can be dangerous and life
threatening but texting is one of the most
dangerous distractions because it involves all
three types of distractions.
Other distractive activities include:
» Using a cell phone
» Eating and drinking
» Talking to passengers
» Grooming
» Reading, including map
» Using PDA or navigation system
» Watching a video
» Changing the radio station, CD,
Mp3 player or other device

19. • 20% of injury crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving.
• Of those killed in distracted-driving-related crashes, 995 involved
reports of a cell phone as a distraction (18% of fatalities in distraction-
related crashes). (NHTSA)
• In 2009, 5,474 people were killed in U.S. roadways and an estimated
448,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes that were reported to
have involved distracted driving (FARS and GES)
• The age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers was the
under-20 age group– 16% of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal
crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving. (NHTSA)
• Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into
crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Source: Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety)

20. • Using a cell phone while driving, whether it’s hand-held or
hands-free, delays a driver’s reactions as much as having a
blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08%.
(Source: University of Utah)
• 80% of all crashes and 65% of near crashes involve some
type of distraction (Virginia Tech 100-car Study for the
NHTSA)
• Brain activity used while driving decreases by 40% when a
driver listens to conversation or music. (Center for
Cognitive Brain Imaging a Carnegie Mellon University)
• More than 80% of drivers admit to blatantly hazardous
behavior.: Changing clothes, steering with a foot, painting
nails, and shaving

21. SOME STATS THAT ARE CLOSER
TO HOME…
•  In 2015, 13,261 drivers in Ohio crashed while
being distracted by something within their
vehicles. Thirty-nine of these drivers were in
fatal crashes which resulted in 43 deaths.
Another 4,593 drivers were in injury crashes
resulting in 6,916 injuries. The number of
reported distracted drivers rose 11% from 2014
to 2015. 

22. MORE INFO…
•  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA), 10% (2,910) of U.S. fatal
crashes in 2013 were reported as distraction-affected.
These crashes killed 3,154 people and injured an
estimated 424,000 more. In 14% of these crashes, the
distraction was talking on, listening to, or manipulating a
cell phone. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration) 

23. SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN????
CONCENTRATE ON DRIVING!!!!
•AS MUCH AS WE LIKE TO THINK
WE’RE GOOD AT MULTI-TASKING,
WE’RE NOT…

24. What can I do to reduce my
risk of distraction?
Being a Undistracted Driver is the safest way
to drive!!!
When drivers are undistracted, they are able
to stay focused in the roadway and are
aware of behaviors of other drivers on the
road. These drivers stay focused, pay
attention, and expect the unexpected.

25. Tips to help you drive
safer:• Ensure all passengers are buckled-up properly.
• Be well-rested and in the appropriate mindset to drive. Driving when upset
or angry can be just as dangerous as driving while tired.
• Identify and reduce all distractions before driving.
• Do not tailgate.
• Allow sufficient time to reach your destination.
• Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained.
• Put your cell phone on silent or turn it off and put it out or reach. If
someone calls, call them back when you safely reach your destination.
• Put your makeup on before you leave the house or at your destination.
Don’t brush or comb your hair or shave while driving.
• When you’re on the road, keep your eyes on the road and your hands on
the steering wheel.
• Avoid eating while driving.
• Do not read a book or check your email in the car.

26. Additional information on
Distracted Driving:
• Distraction.Gov:
http://www.distraction.gov/
• National Safety Council:
http://www.nsc.org/safety_road/distracted_driving/pages/distracted_dr
iving.aspx
• Nationwide Insurance:
http://www.nationwide.com/newsroom/dwd-facts-figures.jsp
• Geico Insurance:
http://www.geico.om/information/safety/auto/teendriving/distracted-
driving/
• Focus Driven:
http://www.focusdriven.org/index.aspx
• Federal Communications Commission:
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/driving.html
• The Oprah Show:
http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/End-Distracted-Driving
• Remember Alex Brown (R.A.B):
http://www.rememberalexbrownfoundation.org/index.php

27. STOP DRIVING AND
TEXTING!
TURN OFF THE PHONE AND
DRIVE!!!

29. The life you save could be your
own!
REMEMBER…