Addabbo to Host Interactive Distracted Driving Event in Acknowledging April As Distracted Driving Awareness Month

3,522 people. That is the number of individuals killed by distracted driving in 2021, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.

In commemoration of April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. is partnering with multiple agencies to bring an interactive distracted driving event to the community that will give attendees a one-of-a-kind experience that will hopefully prevent the devastation that can occur when a motorist takes their eyes off the road. The event will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Richmond Hill High School, located at 89-30 114th Street.

“I am not offering a class in what not to do, but rather allowing people to truly experience impairment and distraction using the senses of touch, sight, and sound,” Senator Addabbo said. “In doing so, hopefully it will get people to think twice about being pre-occupied behind the wheel."

The participating agencies are the NYC Police Department (NYPD), NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) and the New York State Police.

The event will feature virtual reality crash simulations, distract driving / drunk goggles, and use of the seatbelt convincer and rollover convincer. Attendees can also take the NHTSA’s distracted driving pledge. Helpful information and resources will also be distributed.

The Seat Belt Convincer provides a realistic experience of a 5-10 mph collision, underscoring the critical role of seat belts in preventing injuries. Participants can ride in a cart that simulates a crash, emphasizing the impact of not wearing a seat belt. Additionally, the rollover convincer demonstrates the dangers of not using seat belts by showcasing the effects on occupants in a rotating pickup truck cab with dummies representing an adult and a child.

Furthermore, the impaired driving simulation utilizes drunk/impaired goggles to replicate symptoms like disorientation, altered perception, vertigo, and distorted vision, illustrating the dangers of driving under the influence.

Distracted driving, which includes activities like texting, eating, adjusting the stereo, or interacting with passengers, diverts attention from the road and significantly increases the risk of accidents. 

It is essential to prioritize safe driving by giving it one's full attention. Engaging in any non-driving activity while behind the wheel poses a serious risk of accidents and underscores the need for responsible driving habits.

Motorists cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has their full attention. Any non-driving activity is a potential distraction and increases the risk of crashing.

For more information on the Wednesday, April 10, 2024, distracted driving event at Richmond Hill High School, please call Senator Addabbo’s Office at 718-738-1111.