Distracted Driving

Distracted driving can have deadly consequences. Concerned about the safety of our customers and employees, Central Hudson has launched a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of inattentiveness behind the wheel: "Thanks for putting down the phone. Stay in the Safety Zone: It's the bright thing to do."

Between 2012 and 2015, the number of power outages in Central Hudson's service territory that were caused by motor vehicle accidents was up nearly 15 percent.  By 2016, the number of customers impacted by vehicle-related outages was up 75 percent, as not only is the number of accidents increasing, but those incidents also often involve electric facilities that are located on busy roadways that serve many customers.

Many Central Hudson employees routinely work alongside roadways when repairing electric and natural gas facilities, reading meters and completing many other tasks. These workers are placed at higher risk when drivers become distracted.

The ability to see, react or recognize changes on the road ahead is seriously compromised when preoccupied with other, non-driving tasks. That's why we are asking everyone behind the wheel to put away their cell phones, pay attention and make safe driving their priority.

According to the National Safety Council, 26 percent of automobile accidents now involve the use of cell phones, including the use of hands-free options, and that drivers using cell phones are four times more likely to be involved in an auto accident.

Central Hudson has a strong culture of safety and strict policies regarding our employees' use of cell phones. Distracted driving can devastate lives in an instant, and we owe it to ourselves, our families and those with whom we share the road to give driving our full attention. It IS the bright thing to do.

RESOURCES

EndDD.org EndDD was created by a the parents of a young woman who was killed by a distracted driver. Speakers from the group educate drivers at schools and businesses. Its website has information and resources for presenters.

Family Safe Driving Agreement Sign the Family Safe Driving Agreement to make a pact with your family to avoid distractions and drive safely.

NYS Fines and Penalties Distracted driving can result in hundreds of dollars in fines, points on the driver's license and a suspended license for probationary and junior drivers.

National Safety Council The National Safety Council website has a section devoted to distracted driving research, videos and guides for individuals as well as information for employers seeking to develop safe driving policies.

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety AAA has completed several studies on the prevalence and impacts of distracted driving. Findings are published in these reports.

Video: A Family Changed Cindy Cooper talks about her father's fatal cell phone-related crash and the impact of that loss on her family.