SHENANDOAH, TEXAS. (September 29, 2009) The Shenandoah Police Department is throwing its support behind a AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety initiative called “Heads Up Driving Week,” which runs from October 5 through October 11 and aims to change habits by encouraging drivers to eliminate distractions that can lead to accidents.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety lists some of the most common distractions as cell phone talking and texting, eating, grooming, and tending to children and pets, etc. These seem like low risk activities, but they still interrupt a driver’s attention, which should always be on the road.
Driver inattention is a factor in over one million accidents in North America annually, and statistics indicate that cell phone use while driving quadruples the risk of crashing. It’s critical that drivers take responsibility for their safety and the safety of others by keeping their attention on the task of driving.
“State law now prohibits the use of cell phones in active school zones, which is a big step toward limiting a common driving distraction,” said Shenandoah Police Chief John Chancellor. “Even the simplest act can take your eyes off the road and one second can make a big difference when it comes to safety.”
The holiday season is fast approaching, and the pace is more hectic and traffic is heavier. Driving distractions add increased risk. Learn how you can commit to safer driving habits during “Heads Up Driving Week” at http://www.aaafoundation.org or visit the city’s web site at http://www.shenandoahtx.com.
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Shenandoah is located 35 miles north of Houston and straddles Interstate 45. It is home to a variety of hotels, three hospitals, more than 39 high-quality restaurants, over one million square feet of retail shopping space, including Portofino Center and Sam Moon Center, over 960,000 square feet of office space, and the new CISD stadium and natatorium complex. For more information, contact our office at (281) 298-5522.
