The number one priority for the Mississippi Department of Transportation is safe driving. With so many vehicles on the roads for summer it’s even more important to be paying attention.
“We live in a very connected world, and distractions hit all of us regardless of where we go,” said MDOT Executive Director Melinda McGrath. “However, the one place you cannot afford to be distracted is when you’re behind the wheel.”
McGrath said that statistics show people who use a handheld device while driving are four times more likely to get in a serious crash.
Sending or receiving a text message takes a driver’s eyes off the road for about 4.6 seconds, the equivalent of traveling at 55 miles per hour, the entire length of a football field, blind.
“Driving distractions come in all forms,” McGrath said. “Avoiding these distractions is key to making your road trip safe for your passengers and others traveling Mississippi’s highways this summer.”
MDOT’s safe driving tips:
- Avoid speeding, especially through work zones.
- Always buckle up
- Don’t drink and drive, or ride with someone who has been drinking and driving.
- Share the road, watch for pedestrians, bicyclists, children and animals.
For helpful information on the traffic where you’re traveling you can download the MDOT Traffic app through the App Store and Google Play store.
