Since 2012 Sioux Falls has been at the forefront of the campaign statewide to eliminate distracted driving. The first step taken was to outlaw texting and driving, today the Sioux Falls City Council took another step.
In an announcement this morning Councilors Rick Kiley and Christine Erickson unveiled the new “Save a life. Save it for later.” campaign.
Councilor Erickson said “This campaign will use a multipronged approach to remind motorists to focus on what’s in front them. The needless distractions can wait.”
“Unfortunately, with the popularity of cellphones and technology in vehicles, the accident rate involving distracted driving continues to climb. I urge drivers to pay attention to the task of driving. Drivers’ safety and those around them depend upon making the proper choice to ‘Save a life. Save it for later.’” added Councilor Kiley
The “Save a life. Save it for later.” campaign will include:
Permanent street signs remind drivers of the state and City ban on texting while driving. Almost 50 signs will be placed on local streets and high school parking lots.
An educational billboard will move around Sioux Falls’ major corridors on a weekly basis.
Public service announcements produced by the City and South Dakota Department of Public Safety will air on local radio and TV stations urging drivers to “Save a life. Save it for later.”
Multiple saturation patrols intended to educate drivers about the hazards of distracted driving are planned.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,179 people were killed and 431,000 people were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2014. Ten percent of all drivers 15 to 19 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crashes.
“Distracted driving is an issue that all drivers need to realize is a safety concern,” said Assistant Police Chief Galen Smidt, “The time that you are not paying attention to your driving is a hazard that could cause a crash.”
The South Dakota Legislature approved its own state-wide texting ban in 2014.