1Designating the month of April 2014 as "Distracted Driving
2Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Distracted driving is any activity that could divert
4a person's attention from the primary task of driving; and

5WHEREAS, All distractions endanger driver, passenger and
6bystander safety; and

7WHEREAS, Distracted driving occurs any time drivers take
8their eyes off the road, their hands off the wheel and their
9minds off their primary task of driving; and

10WHEREAS, Studies show that texting involves manual, visual
11and mental distraction and is among the worst of all driver
12distractions; and

13WHEREAS, Distracted driving is not confined to a single
14cause, age group, level of education or driver demographic; and

15WHEREAS, While distracted driving can take on many forms and
16affects all road users, young drivers are at particular risk;

1and

2WHEREAS, Drivers less than 25 years of age are two to three
3times more likely than older drivers to send text messages or e-
4mails while driving; and

5WHEREAS, Motor vehicle accidents resulting from distracted
6driving caused 421,000 people to be injured in 2012, a 9%
7increase from 2011; and

8WHEREAS, According to national statistics, in 2012, 3,328
9people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver; and

10WHEREAS, The best way to end distracted driving is to educate
11all Pennsylvanians about the danger it poses; therefore be it

12RESOLVED, That the Senate urge drivers to consider the lives
13of others on the road and avoid distracted driving; and be it
14further

15RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of April 2014
16as "Distracted Driving Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.