Nebraska State Patrol touches on distracted driving

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) - April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and Trooper Nathan Schulz with the Nebraska State Patrol gave insight as to what exactly qualifies as distracted driving.

“A handheld device is going to be their first thought when we talk about distracted driving, there are plenty of other things that can distract drivers whether it be passengers in the car or children, pets things along those lines. So distracted driving is not only your cell phone but it can be other people in the car and other animals and things like that, where they would be changing the radio station, small things that take your eyes off the road for a few seconds it’s all it takes to lead to an accident or a serious facility,” Schulz said.

Schulz said it’s simple to avoid distracted driving and the repercussions that come with it. Just put the phone down.

“The biggest thing is to put the phone down or to minimize your distractions in the car, whether that be turning off your notifications on your phone. If you have passengers, make sure they are not distracting you, assign them takes, to turn the radio station or change the song, answer phone call, answer texts have them do that,” he said.

Schulz also said if kids or pets are in the vehicle, make sure they are on their best behavior. If there’s an issue that pops up while driving, pull over.

The Nebraska State Patrol encourages people to participate in Distracted Driving Awareness Month and to know the dangers.