The Parker Town Council has pledged to help end distracted driving in the Town of Parker by becoming involved in the Red Thumb Reminder campaign.
In August, the Mayor, Town Council and Chief of Police painted their thumbs red to take part in the Red Thumb Program, created by Boulder-based Evolution Bureau advertising agency to bring awareness to distracted driving activities and behavior while driving. A proclamation will appear on the Sept. 2 Town Council Meeting agenda declaring the week of Sept. 15 through 19 as “Red Thumb Reminder Week” in Parker.
The Red Thumb Program is a movement that promotes motorists to drive with their thumb painted to remind them to put their phone away while driving and pay attention to what is happening around them. Since the best way to end distracted driving is to educate about the danger it poses, the Town of Parker and Parker Police Department are adopting the program’s message to bring local awareness to the growing epidemic of distracted driving.
Distracted driving, which is defined as any activity that could divert a driver’s attention away from the primary task of driving, is one of the leading causes of injury and death on America’s roads. All distractions endanger driver, passenger and bystander safety. Examples include using your cell phone or smart phone; texting; using a navigation system; adjusting music volume; eating or drinking; talking to passengers; reading and grooming. Because text messaging requires visual, manual and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction.
The Town Council encourages our residents to join us in this important movement and help keep Parker’s streets safe!
Distracted Driving WorkshopsThe Parker Police Department hosts free Parent-Teen Safe Driving Workshops throughout the year. A pair of workshops will be held this month, one on Monday, Sept. 8 and another on Saturday, Sept. 20. Learn more about the program by visiting www.ParkerPolice.org.
Facts & Statistics:* In 2012, distracted driving accounted for 3,328 deaths and 421,000 injuries in distraction-affected crashes.
* Eleven percent of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash.
* For drivers 15 to 19 years old involved in fatal crashes, 21 percent of the distracted drivers were using cell phones. (NHSTA)
* At any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving, a number that has held steady since 2010. (NOPUS)
* Sending or receiving a text diverts a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent - at 55 miles per hour - of driving the length of an entire football field blind. (VTTI)
For more facts and statistics, please visit www.distraction.gov.