Social Media is a Helpful Tool – But NOT Behind the Wheel!

Social media is an incredibly convenient communication vehicle and a powerful business tool as well. One of its greatest features is its accessibility. You can Tweet, text or post from just about anywhere – at home, at the mall, in the car – as long as you’re not driving! As the Star Tribune reported today, law enforcement is taking distracted drivers seriously in a one-day crackdown as part of a statewide campaign in Minnesota to stress the dangers and reduce crashes for drivers.

Reporter Tim Harlow points out that texting while driving will make you eight times more likely to be involved in a  crash than a driver who is not texting.

“According to the Department of Public Safety, driver distractions account for 20 percent of all crashes and result in 70 deaths and 350 injuries statewide each year,” reported Harlow.

If jeopardizing the safety of yourself and others isn’t enough, how about having to cough up $300 for being a “distracted driver”? This fine isn’t just for texting – eating, applying makeup, and reading a newspaper or magazine are all reasons for law enforcement to pull you over and give you a ticket for being a distracted driver. Even talking on your cell phone, while it is still legal in Minnesota, can result in a ticket if you are driving dangerously (swerving into another lane, etc.) or are distracted from driving.

If it is an emergency and you need to use your phone or do another task that would distract you, find the nearest place to safely pull your car over.

Are you willing to risk your life and the safety of others just to send a text?

Published on: April 21, 2011