California Highway Patrol is reminding the public that thousands of people every year are killed from distracted driving and it is 100 percent avoidable.

The friends, family, and neighbors of the thousands of people killed each year in distracted driving crashes will tell you it is a serious problem. The nearly half a million people injured each year will agree.

Distraction occurs any time you take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your mind off your primary task: driving safely. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing.

Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field, blindfolded. Texting is the most alarming distraction because it involves manual, visual, and cognitive distraction simultaneously.

Some people still don’t know how dangerous distracted driving is. Others know about the risks of texting and talking while driving, but still choose to do so anyway. They make the mistake of thinking the statistics don’t apply to them, that they can defy the odds. Still others simply lead busy, stressful lives and use cell phones and smartphones to stay connected with their families, friends, and workplaces. They forget or choose not to shut these devices off when they get behind the wheel.

The California Highway Patrol wants to remind you don’t become a statistic. Distracted driving is 100% preventable.

For more information go to: www.chp.ca.gov or www.nhsta.org