The number of fatalities in distraction-affected crashes was 2,841, or 7.8% of total fatalities in 2018.1. Primary law. By Issue; By State; Resources. Washington, DC 20001-1642, ©2020 Governors Highway Safety Association. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) thanks the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for conducting ongoing research to better understand the prevalence of distracted driving and its role in traffic crashes. It concentrates on distractions produced by cell phones, text messaging, and other electronic devices brought into the vehicle. Primary law. Enforcement type is also noted. 39 states ban all cellphone use by novice drivers, and 20 states prohibit it for school bus drivers. The GHSA claimed that states with complete bans are models for the rest of the country. In 2010, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) surveyed its state highway safety office (SHSO) members to determine what efforts states were pursuing to address distracted driving. Drivers with learner or provisional license. Source: Governors Highway Safety Association Despite laws in some states banning handheld cell phone use or texting while driving, about one-eighth of all drivers in … Primary law. GHSA represents the state and territorial highway safety offices that implement programs to address behavioral highway safety issues, including: occupant protection, impaired driving, and speeding. https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.dot.gov/files/812108_evaluationdistracteddrivingca-de.pdf, https://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811635.pdf, Study Shows Distracted Driving Is Changing, But Risks Remain, Georgia Takes Action on Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving, Texas, Iowa Take Action on Distracted Driving, Directions in Highway Safety: June 2020 Issue, Highlights of Association Activity, FY 2019. Third-party Distracted Driving . 2 Chaudhary, N. K., Connolly, J., Tison, J., Solomon, M., & Elliott, K. (2015, January). A list of tips for managing driver distraction is available here. Although texting and handheld bans are both critical, texting bans alone can be difficult to enforce. Yes. WHEREAS, the Governors Highway Safety Association says that phone use – particularly calling and texting – while driving is one of the most common driver distractions; and. Drivers with learner or intermediate license. No bans on hand-held use, cell phone use, or text messaging for any drivers. Distracted Driving: What Research Shows and What States Can Do. You can visit the Governors Highway Safety Association to learn about the laws in your state. The National Highway … GHSA recommends that states ban handheld cellphone use for all drivers. 16, or 17 with Intermediate License for less than 6 months. Chan School of Public Health > Distracted Driving Project > NEWS > Research ... Governors Highway Safety Association calling to expand graduated driver licensing laws in U.S. to anyone under the age of 21: Study. These offices administer federal funding for behavioral … Drivers with permit or provisional license. Secondary Law. NWRA POSITION. Currently, 48 states ban text messaging for all drivers. Some localities have additional regulations. DOT HS 812 108). This chart outlines state distracted driving laws. The results for the most part were not surprising, confirming: distractions play a major role in crashes drivers can be distracted up to half the time they are driving Drivers with learner or intermediate licence. 1 National Center for Statistics and Analysis. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tracks cellphone use laws external icon and young passenger restrictions external icon by state. Primary law. NOTE: GHSA does not compile any additional data on distracted driving laws other than what is presented here. Primary law. In partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) is dedicated to giving law enforcement agencies the tools and resources needed to reduce fatal and injury crashes resulting from distracted driving, including data and information to help them educate policymakers about the importance of strong, enforceable traffic … Further, additional national data supports the finding that rather than making voice calls, more drivers … 727, passed in 2013 by the Virginia General Assembly, designates April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month in Virginia; and Driver distraction, including handheld device use such as texting and driving, is a contributing factor in many crashes, although many instances go unreported. https://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811635.pdf, Early in 2017, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) launched the Buckle Up Phone Down (BUPD) challenge to drive down the increasing number of fatalities on Missouri roadways. GHSA, the Governors Highway Safety Association is a non-profit organization located in Washington, DC. Primary law. Safety; Distracted Driving Remains Serious Highway Safety Challenge. effect on driving safety has led highway safety leaders to assess the critical issues associated with distracted driving. Primary law. By Issue; By State; Resources. Drivers under 18 with learner or intermediate license. https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.dot.gov/files/812108_evaluationdistracteddrivingca-de.pdf, 3 Chaudhary, N. K., Casanova-Powell, T. D., Cosgrove, L., Reagan, I., & Williams, A. 660 N. Capitol Street NW, Suite 220 (Traffic Safety Facts Research Note. Phone use – particularly calling and texting – while driving is one of the most common distractions. From 2010 to 2013, NHTSA evaluated distracted driving HVE demonstration … Your state legislature and governor make the laws regarding distracted driving. Americans Are Driving Sleep-Deprived Every Day The Governors Highway Safety Association reports 83.6 million Americans are driving sleep-deprived every day and that 5,000 lives were lost in drowsy driving incidents in 2015. All drivers, while vehicle is in motion. This chart outlines state distracted driving laws. Stronger Laws, Better Data and Greater Focus Among Findings WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) released a new report that provides the first comprehensive look at state activities and programs to address the growing problem of distracted driving. The Governors Highway Safety Association also provides details for distracted driving laws in each state. Secondary law. Almost 6,000 people die each year due to distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Drivers with learner under 18 or provisional licenses. Read More, 660 N. Capitol Street NW, Suite 220 Drivers with learner or intermediate license, regardless of age. Drivers in school zones. Sources: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and State Highway Safety Offices. Driver distraction, including handheld device use such as texting and driving, is a contributing factor in many crashes, although many instances go unreported. Crash Data Collection: All states except two (Connecticut and New Hampshire) include at least one category for distraction on police crash report forms, although the specific data collected varies. WHEREAS, House Joint Resolution No. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is taking a stand against distracted driving, calling it “an emerging problem but a significant highway safety issue.” Child Passenger Safety; Distracted Driving; Drowsy Driving; Drug Impaired Driving; Law Enforcement; Mature Drivers; Motorcyclists; Seat Belts; Speed and Red Light Cameras; Speeding and Aggressive Driving; Teen and Novice Drivers; Traffic Records ; State Laws. (Warning period in effect through 01/01/2021). Governors Highway Safety Assn. For more information on state laws, visit the Governors Highway Safety Association. Enforcement type is also noted. Overall, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens ages 15-20, [2] … Real progress is happening right now in the national battle against distracted driving, says Vernon F. Betkey, Jr., chief of the Maryland Highway Safety Office and … For more information, consult the appropriate State Highway Safety Office. The Governor’s Highway Safety Association(GHSA) released its summary of distracted driving research after considering more than 350 scientific papers published between 2000-2011. Each type of distracted driving increases your risk of a car crash, injury, and even death. Click here to view GHSA's Policies and Priorities on Distracted Driving. The report additionally discusses comprehensive infrastructural, educational and enforcement approaches to reducing pedestrian and motor vehicle crashes. GHSA is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The GHSA’s newest report, released on August 26th, “Distracted & Dangerous – Helping States Keep Teens Focused on the Road,” provides the most comprehensive summary of those efforts to date and is an invaluable resource for traffic safety professionals, safety advocates, law enforcement, legislators, educators and communities. It was asserted that those states with complete bans have seen reductions in the incidence of distracted driving. This report reviews and summarizes distracted driving research available as of January 2011 to inform states and other organizations as they consider distracted driving countermeasures. Study urges extending junior driver license limits to age 21 — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October 13, 2016. Drivers with learner's permit. Primary law. For example, reaching for an object increases a driver’s risk of crashing by 800%. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Its members are the state highway safety offices of the 50 states, U.S. territories, and the Indian Nations. Drivers under 18 with learner or intermediate license. Primary law. In Curbing Distracted Primary law. 24 states ban drivers from using handheld cellphones while driving. Williams-Bergen, E., Hedlund, J., Sprattler, K., Ferguson, S., Marti, C., Harsha, B., Adkins, J., and Harper, V. Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA) This US literature review examined the frequency of distraction among drivers as well as ways that distraction affects driver performance. Enforcement demonstration projects in New York, Connecticut, Delaware and California have shown that handheld cellphone bans can be enforced effectively and can reduce driver use of a cellphone.2, 3. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. *Note: Texas has banned the use of hand-held phones in school zones. A recent report released by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA) highlights speeding as the primary cause for over 900 teenagers dying in car crashes in 2011. A PDF chart of state distracted driving laws is available for download here. Drivers with learner or intermediate license. (2019, October). Preemption Laws: Some states have preemption laws that prohibit local jurisdictions from enacting their own distracted driving bans. Evaluation of the NHTSA distracted driving high-visibility enforcement demonstration projects in California and Delaware. Drivers with Level 1 or Level 2 license. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration… However, many people fail to recognize the danger of driving while distracted, especially if they try to talk or text on a cell phone. NWRA supports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) efforts to combat distracted driving caused by texting, phone use, and alcohol or drugs as well as enhanced enforcement of state distracted driving laws by state and local law enforcement agencies. Distracted Driving Project Harvard T.H. Yes, for instruction and intermediate permit holders under 18. Some localities have additional regulations. Many states now have laws against texting, talking on a cell phone, and other distractions while driving. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) endorsed a complete ban in all states on the use of handheld devices while driving. Governors Highway Safety Association January 24 at 12:35 PM GHSA is proud to support Ford Driving Skills for Life and its hands-on safe driving clinics for newly licensed teen drivers. Drivers with restricted or intermediate license. Secondary law. Publications; State Highway Safety Showcases; Traffic Records Management; Research Program; … IIHS’ study validates what all drivers see every day: the pervasive use of wireless devices behind the wheel. Missouri officials are going to need more than a law on record to stop drivers from texting or from using a cell phone behind the wheel. Click here to view GHSA's Policies and Priorities on Distracted Driving. GHSA and Lyft have awarded the State Highway Safety Offices in Colorado, Illinois, New Mexico, North Carolina and Texas nearly $100,000 in grant funds and Lyft ride credits to support campaigns to help prevent impaired driving this holiday season. Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. States with such laws include — but may not be limited to — Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Oregon and South Carolina. The report examines a number of factors that may be influencing the rise in pedestrian deaths, including the need for safer road crossings, unsafe driving behaviors, the increased presence of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and the tremendous growth of smartphone use, which is a significant source of distracted driving. The Governors Highway Safety Association reports 83.6 million Americans are driving sleep-deprived every day and that 5,000 lives were lost in drowsy driving incidents in 2015. DOT HS 812 826). The number of fatalities in distraction-affected crashes was 2,841, or 7.8% of total fatalities in 2018.1. Washington, DC 20001-1642, ©2020 Governors Highway Safety Association. Primary law. In states with texting bans but no handheld bans, drivers may claim they were dialing a phone number when stopped by a police officer. Primary law. Broadens Distracted Driving and Drugged Driving Policy Positions September 11, 2012 • by Staff WASHINGTON -- During the recent annual meeting of the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), members decided to strengthen the group’s policy positions on the issues of distracted driving and drugged driving. Many states and local jurisdictions have passed laws that address these behaviors. Primary law. Driving while distracted, drunk or under the influence of other drugs is a leading cause of accidents and traffic fatalities for teens. Evaluation of NHTSA distracted driving demonstration projects in Connecticut and New York. Many teens (and adults) recognize that driving under the influence is dangerous. (Report No. Governors Highway Safety Association, 2011 The Governors Highway Safety Association has released a report that discusses what distracted driving is, how often drivers are distracted, how it impacts driver performance and crash risk, and what countermeasures may be most effective. Yes, in school crossing zones and on public school property only. GHSA's message to all drivers remains: Don't use cellphones or other electronic devices while driving, regardless of the current law. Distracted driving can impact you for the rest of your life. Primary law. DOT HS 811 635). 2018 fatal motor vehicle crashes: Overview. Publications; State Highway Safety Showcases; Traffic Records Management; Research Program; … (2012, August). Published By Ryan R. Cox and Associates, L.L.C. 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