If you get caught, it could cost you hundreds of dollars in fines.
This probably won't be a surprise to most people, but distracted driving is a big problem and it's becoming more and more common. But, if someone gets caught, it could cost them hundreds of dollars.
Distracted driving can actually be anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your mind off of driving. That can include being on a phone while driving or even dancing to the music playing too hard, and maybe a few unexpected things.
"If I'm trying to eat, you know, a couple tacos or something on the road, that's that could even be worse than just focusing on your phone," said Sparks resident Jake Roach.
Research shows that distracted driving can be really dangerous, even deadly. One person said that, in his eyes, texting and driving is as bad as driving under the influence.
"Would you drive drunk? Because if you wouldn't drive drink but you're looking at your cell phone while you're driving, you're driving impaired, just as if you're drunk," said Dale Head, a Reno resident.
Both men said they see distracted driving pretty much every day.
"Every stoplight you come to, someone's looking down at their phone, not paying attention," said Head.
"You look to your left and you just see somebody on their phone, not paying attention. You know, your group chat can wait five minutes for you without sending a Tiger Woods meme," said Roach.
It's Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and law enforcement agencies across Nevada are coming together to shine a light on the dangers of distracted driving. They're asking the community to focus on what matters: driving safely.
