OSHP Spreads Distracted Driving Awareness

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is hoping to spread awareness about distracted driving in the month of April.

Sergeant Todd Henry said anything from eating to using your cell phone can distract you on the road and while it may seem harmless, the highway patrol sees the devastating results far too often.

“Last year there were 13, 261 crashes reported with some type of distraction,” said Henry. “Out of those crashes, 39 were fatal crashes which resulted in the death of 43 different people. ”

Texting is an easy way to lose focus behind the wheel. Henry said in the time it takes to simply look down to read a text at 55 miles per hour, drivers travel the distance of a football field.

“It only takes a second to change your life,” said Henry. “It’s very tragic and we want to do everything we can to prevent that.”

Henry said the highway patrol is spreading the word to drive safe as the summer months approach because as the weather gets better crash rates go up.