Distracted driving takes one second to take a life

Being behind the wheel in today’s fast paced world means more potential distractions than ever, from in car entertainment systems and mobile phones to conversations, food, or even your own thoughts. But when you’re driving, even a split second of lost focus can cause serious injury or cost lives and if not your own, then someone else’s.

Last year, distracted driving accounted for 8% of fatal collisions in our force area. As such, officers from our Roads Policing teams see it all too often, collisions that began with something as simple as a split-second distraction.

Inspector John Rickells from the Roads Policing Unit said: “Distractions behind the wheel may feel harmless, but my team see first-hand the major consequences that result from them.

“Whether it’s the temptation to check group chat notifications, switch to a different playlist, make a phone call, each of these can take your concentration from where it needs to be, on the road ahead.

“It’s not just mobile phones and other devices that are a distraction. Heated conversations, eating or drinking at the wheel, being lost in thought. All of these can divide your attention, and that’s when collisions happen.

“Driving demands constant awareness, watching for pedestrians, cyclists, other vehicles, changes in road conditions. When your mind is somewhere else, even briefly, your reaction time slows dramatically, and you might not see and a hazard until it’s too late.

“Studies show that using your phone while driving makes you four times more likely to cause a collision. Even reading a quick notification takes your eyes of the road for about five seconds. At 30mph, that’s enough to travel the length of a football pitch without looking.

“By incorporating the following small steps into your routine, you can save lives:

Driving safely is about respect for the vehicle, the road, and everyone around you. It takes one second to lose your license, one second to ruin your life, one second to take a life.

Drive safe, every time”.

We continue to encourage members of the public to report any road traffic offences and dangerous driving to us by calling our non-emergency number 101 or 999 in an emergency, when safe to do so, to help hold reckless and dangerous drivers to account for their actions.

You can also submit video evidence of driving offences that you or other members of the public have witnessed via our online reporting tool Op Snap to help officers take action against those who put others at risk.