VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. (March 28, 2019) – AAA Tidewater Virginia is announcing a traffic safety initiative on distracted driving and the dangers that it imposes on the roadways. The campaign’s goal is to change how drivers see distracted driving and understand the real dangers that it inflicts. AAA will be holding a press conference on April 4th at the AAA Corporate Office, 5366 Virginia Beach Blvd in Virginia Beach starting at 10am to introduce the initiative to Hampton Roads. Invited guests include Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer, local law enforcement officials, VDOT, Virginia State Police as well as the community. There will be a number of victim advocates in attendance to speak on how distracted driving crashes have affected them and their families.
“Don’t Drive Intoxicated – Don’t Drive Intexticated” is the theme of AAA’s multimedia traffic safety education campaign created to make distracted driving socially unacceptable. The campaign targets drivers who would never consider drinking a beer behind the wheel, and yet, regularly engage with mobile devices that dangerously take their eyes, hands and minds off the road.
In addition to the campaign movement, AAA supports the handheld bill, SB1768, that Governor Northam amended to include all roadways in the language for the handheld ban. Originally, the bill only stipulated a handheld ban at highway work zones with certain exceptions. The bill provides that a violation is punishable by a mandatory fine of $250. The Governor’s recommendation has been received by Senate.
AAA urges drivers to put down their phone and avoid distractions when behind the wheel, especially now during April’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
AAA is committed to helping drivers curb the urge to engage in distracting behaviors behind the wheel. Any task that requires taking your eyes or attention off-the-road and hands off-the-wheel can present a dangerous risk on the roadway. That includes changing the radio, programming navigation or even enjoying a sandwich. In order to avoid distraction, AAA recommends:
- Don’t Drive Intoxicated. Don’t Drive Intexticated. The consequences could be the same: Put aside electronic distractions and never use text messaging, email, video games or internet functions, including those built into the vehicle, while driving.
- Know where you’re going: Pre-program your GPS and adjust seats, mirrors, climate controls and sound systems before putting the car in motion.
- Snack Smart: Avoid messy foods that can be difficult to manage.
- Secure Items: Properly secure children and pets and store loose possessions and other items that could roll around in the car.
For more information visit AAA.com/DontDriveDistracted. For the television PSA click here, and for b-roll of the making of the PSA, click here. (Password for both: Intexticated)
As part of North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA Tidewater Virginia provides its more than 330,000 members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding AAA Tidewater Virginia has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. For more information, visit AAA.com and follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/AAATidewaterVA or Facebook at facebook.com/AAATidewaterVirginia.