Naval Safety Center Promotes Distracted Driver Awareness Day

By April Phillips, Naval Safety Center Public Affairs

NORFOLK -- The Naval Safety Center is partnering with Drive Smart Virginia and GEICO insurance to take action against distracted driving by sponsoring the 2nd annual “Distracted Driver Awareness Day" June 6 in Virginia and North Carolina.

Virginia is home to the world’s largest naval base located in Norfolk, and thousands of Sailors travel the area’s highways to and from work each day. A recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concluded that distracted drivers are the leading cause of crashes in the United States, accounting for 80 percent of all accidents.

The Navy has done its part to reduce distracted driving on base. Since March 1, 2006 drivers are banned from using hand-held cell phones on any installation unless they pull off the roadway. Bonnie Revell, a traffic safety specialist at the Naval Safety Center, said this restriction was made in light of the fact that devastating car crashes can happen in a fraction of a second. However, she also pointed out that there are numerous other distractions that can easily lead to an accident.

“Your focus is not on the road where it needs to be when you’re talking on the phone or changing the station on the radio,” Revell said.

The Naval Safety Center has promotional material, including tip sheets for avoiding distracted driving, available to all commands, whether or not they are located in Virginia or North Carolina. To receive this material, contact the public affairs officer at safe-pao@navy.mil.

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