Beaumont Offering Course For Distracted Drivers That Can Reduce Pleas

(WWJ) -- Drivers between the 16 and 20 years old who have been cited for distracted driving can have their punishments lessened, thanks to a program offered at Beaumont Hospital in Trenton.

The Downriver Distracted Driving Awareness Program gives young drivers the opportunity to have their pleas reduced, as well as avoiding points on their license for taking the class.

Every day in the United States, about nine people are killed and more than 1,000 are injured in crashes involving a distracted driver, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Distracted driving is more than just driving while intoxicated or under the influence. It is defined as driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving and significantly increases the risk of being involved in, or the cause of, a motor vehicle crash. Activities that include texting, among many others.

"Everybody thinks about distractions being a cell phone," program director Barbie Loreto told WWJ. "However, eating, grooming, talking to people in the car, other passengers -- those are all distractions."

The class includes discussions, as well as the use of a driving simulator and impaired goggles.

The Downriver Distracted Driving Awareness Program was launched by trauma coordinators at Beaumont Hospital, Trenton in 2016, in collaboration with the 33rd Circuit Court that serves communities in Brownstown, Flat Rock, Gibralter, Grosse Ile, Rockwood, Trenton and Woodhaven. The classes are supported by grant funding from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Teens and other age groups involved in motor vehicle crashes are recommended to attend the seminar as part of their court hearing. Upon finishing the program, attendees will earn a certificate of completion that could result in a reduced plea with no points and a possible reduced fine.

Barbie Loreto, RN, trauma injury prevention coordinator at Beaumont, Hospital in Trenton, says focusing on the task of driving can be difficult for any age group. Habits like calling, texting, eating, daydreaming, talking to passengers or intoxication can be trouble for drivers and those sharing the roads with them.

"It's just as risky to drive drunk as is it is to drive while distracted, with drivers four times likely to get into a crash while talking or texting on their phones," Loreto said.

"Reaching for a phone, dialing it, talking and texting can all take away from attention and focus on driving. Other major distractions can be daydreaming, or thinking about what they must do that day, so they're not focused on the roads," added Loreto. "For many attendees, once they start to drive home from class, they're going to find themselves noticing some of these behaviors."

The DDAP program also includes activities for participants, including a distracted driving simulator that places real life disruptions and concerns in front of those in the driver's seat. Real-life scenarios, such as other cars on the road, people crossing streets and animals, among others, are included to help drivers pay better attention and understand the variety of distractions on the road that require full attention.

In addition, participants also test responses to driving while intoxicated. They practice using goggles mirroring different levels of intoxication to measure their response. For teens, Loreto says it is also especially important to contact their parents before hitting the road, so they know they're driving and to eliminate any feelings of obligation to answer a call or text.

Added Loreto, "I hope everyone leaves the class with one or two things that weren't taught in drivers training that will help them in the future. Specifically, I want them to bring these lessons back to their parents, their guardian or even their siblings and share all they've learned. Maybe these lessons will help others in the family too."

To truly focus on the task of driving, and not letting anything divert your attention, here are a few recommendations that can keep drivers in the present moment: