Minnesota NETS: Daily E-mail Blasts Did You Know? The most dangerous part of an employee's day is the drive to and from work! Driver distraction is a leading factor in crashes in Minnesota, accounting for at least 25 percent of all crashes annually. In 2008, it became illegal in Minnesota for drivers to read or compose texts/e-mails and access the Web on wireless devices while the vehicle is in motion. Using a cell phone behind the wheel reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent. Hang up and drive. When driving just one mile you make approximately 200 decisions! Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel. Drive now ... Talk Later! The Ultimate Distraction Texting while driving takes your mind, eyes and hands away from the task of driving. If you text while driving, on average, you take your eyes off the road for up to 4.6 out of every six seconds. That's like traveling the length of a football field at 55 mph without looking up! Texting is simply one of the most dangerous things you can do while driving and it's against the law. Drive Now ... Text L8TR Txting is agnst the law! An estimated 200,000 crashes each year nationwide are caused by drivers who text. Minnesota Cell Phone and Texting Restrictions Statute, MS 169.475: Text-messaging, e-mailing or accessing the Web on a wireless device while driving — including while stopped in traffic — is illegal on Minnesota roads. The violation can cost up to $300 and applies to drivers of all ages. It's a primary offense, meaning law enforcement can stop a motorist if they observe a violation of the law. Are You Driving Distracted? Anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel or your mind off your driving can be a big problem. In fact, studies prove that your brain cannot give full attention to more than one thing at a time. Driving distractions include: Cell phone use Radios and CD players (including loud music) Adjusting vehicle controls Passengers Programming GPS systems Eating Smoking Daydreaming Sleepiness or fatigue Hang up; keep your hands on the wheel and your head in the game. What Is the Issue? The No. 1 cause of driver distraction is cell phones Driver distraction is involved in 80% of crashes Driver distraction is involved in 65% of near crashes Cell phone drivers have slower reaction times and are more likely to get in a crash Source: Virginia Tech Transportation Institute What Is the Solution? Secure everyone and everything that could be a distraction Don't wait until you are driving to plan your route Preset the climate control, radio and CD player Pull over where it's safe and legal if a passenger is distracting you Take a break when you're hungry or thirsty Put away distracting material (newspaper, book, reports etc.) that may tempt you Turn off your phone Be a good role model. Kids are watching and learning from you! What is Distracted Driving? Distractions occur when a drivers attention is diverted by a secondary task that requires focusing on an object, event or person not related to the driving task. Types of Distractions Visual - Eyes off the road, (turning to talk to passengers or children in the back seat) Manual - hands off the wheel, (eating, turning the radio dial, talking/texting on the phone) Cognitive - Mind off the task at hand, (have you ever driven home and can't recall how you got there?) Driving is a complex task that requires the attention and concentration of each and every driver.

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