LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim April 2016, as Distracted Driving Month in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues that
affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorial-
ize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2016, as Distracted Driv-
ing Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance
of National Distracted Driving Month; and
WHEREAS, The best way to end distracted driving is to educate all
Americans about the danger it poses; and
WHEREAS, Distracted driving is broadly defined to be any instance
where a driver diverts his or her attention from the task of driving to
another activity; and
WHEREAS, In 2014, 3,179 people were killed, and 431,000 were injured
in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers; and
WHEREAS, Ten percent of all drivers 15 to 19 years-old involved in
fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crashes;
this age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted
at the time of the crashes (NHTSA); and
WHEREAS, At any given daylight moment across America, approximately
660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices
while driving, a number that has held steady since 2010 (NOPUS); and
WHEREAS, Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road
while texting; when traveling at 55mph, that is enough time to cover the
length of a football field blindfolded (2009, VTTI); and
WHEREAS, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates
that crashes caused by distracted driving cost the United States approx-
imately $175 billion per year, this is roughly $148 per every American;
and
WHEREAS, In 2015, six billion text messages were sent every day in the
United States; and
WHEREAS, A 2015 Erie Insurance distracted driving survey reported that
drivers do all sorts of dangerous things behind the wheel including
brushing teeth and changing clothes; the survey also found that one-
third of drivers admitted to texting while driving, and three-quarters
saying they have seen others do it (ERIE INSURANCE); and
WHEREAS, Because text messaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive
attention from a driver, it is by far the most alarming distraction; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness on
the dangers of distracted driving, and more must be done to increase
activity at the local, state and national levels; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2016, as
Distracted Driving Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.