The Kanawha County Sherriff’s Department in West Virginia has developed a new hands-on program designed to teach drivers the dangers of distracted driving. According to the Sheriff’s Department, 17 people died in West Virginia auto accidents in 2009 simply because another driver was distracted.
As part of the program, deputies from Kanawha County will educate schools and businesses with an informational presentation, followed by a brief hands-on driving course using golf carts. Each participant will first drive the course without any distractions. The second time around, an instructor will sit in the passenger’s seat and do all the things we’re used to our friends doing: talk to us, text us, and more.
As the Chief Deputy stated, “We can show people that it took five seconds for them to stop when they were not distracted, but 15 when they were. That ten-second difference can mean someone’s life.”
According to research conducted by the University of Utah, distracted driving can slow a person’s reaction time down as much as a blood alcohol content level of 0.08%, which is the legal standard for a DUI.
If you have been injured (or if a loved one has been killed) due to another driver’s negligence, please contact the experienced car accident attorneys at Jan Dils & Jim Leach Attorneys at Law, PLLC today to schedule a free case evaluation.
