Distracted driving continues to be one of the most dangerous activities for drivers across the country. As the popularity of smartphones soars, so do the number of crashes attributed to distractions. But as drivers become more aware of the risks since they begin to see the consequences of distraction, they also begin to become more concerned with their own safety.
Unless you’re the driver in Minnesota who was caught reading a novel while behind the wheel, of course.
According to a series of news reports, a police officer noticed a motorist was driving his vehicle in an erratic fashion while on Highway 149 in Eagan, Minnesota. When he pulled the driver over, he was shocked to see the motorist was reading a book the entire time.
Reports show that the vehicle’s driver was not being able to keep up with the traffic while on the road prior to the encounter. According to several news sources, the driver was reading the latest novel from James Patterson, and the book was so good, he was unable to put it down to pay attention to the road.
The driver was allegedly very contrite when the officer approached him.
Hopefully for everyone involved, the distracted driver was pulled over before he had a chance to expose anyone to serious crash risks.
The police department decided to use the video of the entire occurrence to urge other drivers to avoid taking part in distracting behavior while behind the wheel.
Law enforcement agents across the country are well aware of how distracted many drivers are. They also know how hard it is for them to catch distracted driving before accidents occur. But while many of the distracted driving accidents are linked to phone use, electronics are not the only source of distraction. Talking to passengers, dealing with pets or children, eating and drinking may also lead to accidents.
If you’re a driver and you would like to stay safe at all times while behind the wheel, paying attention should be a top priority. Motorists who are alert are able to handle emergencies with ease, and avoid crashes that could be deadly. Driving defensively helps you to stay one step ahead of everyone else. Distracted motorists, on the other hand, are much more likely to ignore signs and be involved in accidents mainly because they are not aware of what’s going on ahead.
If you’re curious to know more about this incident, click here.
