State Police Join Crackdown on Aggressive/Distracted Driving and Promote Road Respect
State Police Join Crackdown on Aggressive/Distracted Driving and Promote Road Respect
To help reduce aggressive and distracted driving, the Massachusetts State Police will join more than 210 local police departments participating in the 2007 Road Respect Mobilization which runs from March 23 rd through April 8 th. This mobilization is sponsored by the Governor's Highway Safety Bureau (GHSB), a program of the Executive Office of Public Safety, and coordinates $475,000 in extra traffic enforcement with $110,000 in public information efforts.
In 2006, state and local police in Massachusetts issued approximately 533,300 violations related to aggressive and distracted driving. There has been a 7.4% decrease in the number of such violations issued as compared to in 2003, the year before the Road Respect initiative began.
Massachusetts law enforcement recommends the following 10 tips to reduce aggressive and distracted driving:
- Obey posted speed limits. Allow extra travel time for traffic and bad weather.
- Always signal your intentions when turning or changing lanes.
- Come to a full stop at red lights and stop signs. Never run yellow lights.
- Let other drivers pass and merge as necessary.
- On multi-lane highways, use the left lane for passing only.
- Avoid distracted driving, especially if using a cell phone.
- Refrain from unnecessary use of your horn.
- Pay attention to the special needs of those who drive trucks and buses, ride motorcycles and bicycles, along with pedestrians.
- Wear your safety belt. It's your best defense against an aggressive or distracted driver.
If you encounter an aggressive or distracted driver:
- Control your emotions to avoid escalating the situation.
- Avoid eye contact and obscene gestures.
- If a serious incident occurs, contact the nearest police agency. If using a cell phone, pull over at a safe location and dial 911.
Make Massachusetts roadways safer to use by showing other drivers some Road Respect .
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Dial 911 on your Cell Phone for all Roadway Emergencies