DES MOINES – In recognition of the recently passed legislation in Iowa that makes texting a primary traffic violation, AAA – The Auto Club Group has provided the Iowa State Patrol with 1,000 CELL slips to use in enforcement and education efforts starting June 27th.
The CELL slips serve as a reminder to put your phone away and avoid distractions while you’re driving. Features:
*Blocks all incoming and outgoing cell phone signal so you can concentrate on the road
*You receive all voicemails, text messages and app notifications within seconds of removing your phone
*Eliminates human error while driving, unlike mobile apps that can break when your phone updates
*Fits 99% of smart phones
*Does not decrease battery life
*The bright red color is a visual reminder to stop and think of the dangers of distracted driving
*Provides a physical barrier stopping the constant urge to check your phone while driving
As fatalities have risen statewide and nationally over the last few years, it is no surprise that distracted driving has been identified as a significant contributing factor. In a recent Traffic Safety Culture Index Survey conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, several statistics stand out:
Cell phone use while driving is widespread. More than 2 in 3 drivers report talking on their cell phone while driving in the past month, and nearly 1 in 3 say they do so fairly often or regularly.
Most drivers view texting or emailing while driving as a very serious threat to their own personal safety and consider it completely unacceptable. However, nearly 1 in 3 (31.4%) admit to typing or sending a text message or email while driving in the past month, and 2 in 5 (40.2%) report reading a text message or email while driving in the past month.
“As one of the nation’s oldest and largest traffic safety organizations, AAA – The Auto Club Group is happy to support educational and enforcement campaigns seeking to reduce the carnage on our roadways,” stated Gail Weinholzer, Director of Public Affairs, AAA – The Auto Club Group.
“The Iowa State Patrol is committed to doing everything possible to educate motorists of the dangers related to cell phone use in vehicles, as well as protecting those who travel on our roadways,” stated Sergeant Scott Bright, Public Resource Unit Coordinator. “Technology has become one of the biggest threats to the safety and welfare of the motoring public, and we are dedicated to both enforcement and continued education with the goal of reducing traffic crashes and fatalities in Iowa and across the nation. The Iowa State Patrol appreciates the continued support from AAA to help us achieve these goals and save lives!”
