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Federal grants available to support distracted driving laws

Brent Jennings, PE
Highway Safety Manager
This past legislative session Idaho joined many other states in the nation by passing a law that prohibits texting (a form of distracted driving) while operating a motor vehicle.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced a new grant program that will provide approximately $17.5 million to states that have laws banning distracted driving in fiscal year (FY) 2013.

“Distracted driving is a persistent and growing epidemic on America’s roads — but there has also been incredible momentum in the states in recent years to pass laws that tackle the problem head on,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

“This new grant program will provide states that have distracted driving laws with important resources to help save lives and prevent injuries.” The distracted grant program provides approximately $17.5 million in FY 2013 for states that have enacted and are enforcing anti-distracted driving laws, including anti-texting statutes. Idaho intends to participate in this program.

Over the last three years in Idaho (2008-2010) there have been 179 fatal crashes and 1,199 serious injury crashes involving distracted drivers. This has resulted in 192 people killed and 1,534 people seriously injured: this represents 30 percent of all fatal crashes (and 29 percent of fatalities) and more than a third (36 percent ) of all serious injury crashes (and 36 percent of serious injuries). Distracted driving is cause for concern in Idaho.

If you would like additional information about Idaho’s distracted driving program, “Put it Down,” please contact our office. I am sure you would agree that driving is worthy of our full attention as we all work together to keep each other safe on the roadways.