Summer is here and with it the news, in this case, we’re going to tell you about what will happen on the roads of our country during the summer holidays, and it’s that the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) is going to intensify even more the controls of distracted drivers. What does this mean? Well, if the “Put the Phone Away or Pay” campaign was already on fire all over the country, now they’re going to fine up to $600 for those caught using their phones behind the wheel. Get ready!
And summer is a key date, last year, almost 10,000 people lost their lives on the road, 24% of the annual road deaths… So, any measure that the NHTSA proposes to avoid these deaths will be welcome. We’ll tell you everything the NHTSA has prepared in its fight against reckless driving.
A priority for the NHTSA
Of course, the NHTSA is in charge of guaranteeing the safety of all road users, both drivers and pedestrians, that’s why it’s normal that you associate that name with the famous car recalls.
In this case, they have listed what are the five road incidents that worry them the most and that they want to eliminate as soon as possible:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Driving while drowsy
But, in these last years, the use of cell phones has intensified. In 2024 alone, 40,000 people lost their lives in accidents linked to driving. 40,000 families completely broken…
A clear message for summer
The NHTSA launched its new summer campaign under the slogan: “Put the Phone Away or Pay” with the goal of making drivers aware that it’s not enough to look at the phone for a second: any distraction can cost lives and has very serious economic consequences.
New Jersey, Maine, and Oregon at the head
Although the standard fine that the NHTSA recommends is $600, some states go much further. In New Jersey, for example, a driver who re-offends in using their cell phone can face fines between $600 and $800 for a third offense. In Maine, the figure rises to $500 or more if you re-offend after the first fine. And in Oregon, the penalties for the third time can exceed $2,500, in addition to up to 6 months in jail.
That’s why the NHTSA makes it clear that these fines are not only for the youngest (although it’s associated with them), using the cell phone behind the wheel occurs in all generations. The message is firm: road safety has no age.
Other road safety measures
- Cameras and automatic systems
- States are also reinforcing their measures to reduce speeding and other dangerous behaviours behind the wheel (like driving drunk).
- More and more automatic cameras are being used to control drivers who run red lights or exceed the speed limit, even in some places they are installing devices that limit the speed of repeat offenders’ vehicles.
NHTSA is already studying how to regulate autonomous driving systems so that this technology does not end up creating new risks.
How do I avoid… fines? (and accidents, of course)
First, leave the phone and focus on the road. Always keep your hands on the wheel, and if you absolutely must use the phone, always with the hands-free option.
Check your state’s traffic laws: although using a cell phone is prohibited in 49 states, the penalties vary, but remember that you could be putting your life in danger by using the phone while driving…
So, remember, there is nothing as important as keeping attention to the road!!