Blasting sirens, breakneck speeds, and aggressive pursuits: these are
what we typically describe a perfectly normal police response. Whether
they are responding to an accident on the road or chasing down a culprit
who had just stolen a car or has done some law violation, the pursuits
we see on TV news footage and even in real life are just the regular
duties of the elements of most law enforcement agencies.
However, officers who engage in emergency responses and police pursuits on a regular basis, while exercising professionalism in the line of duty, are often beset with the possibility of encountering accidents.
As it is, driving while on pursuit of a criminal on a heated chase often involves multitasking on the part of the officer. Looking at it, police officers often engage in distracted driving practices, which we all know is one of the primary factors as to why accidental injuries and deaths happen.
Distracted driving explained
Basically, distracted driving, among normal motorists, is more than just using the cell phone to text or call while driving. Activities that are usually done simultaneously with driving are often diverse. They include fidgeting on the car stereo, eating and drinking, talking to a companion inside the vehicle, and picking up a loose change on the floor of the vehicle, among others.
In the United States, distracted driving is one of the lingering problems in the realm of traffic safety. In fact, in 2011, some 3,331 people were killed in car crashes involving a distracted driver. The figure was a 1.9 percent increase from the previous year, which stood at 3,267. Conversely, related injuries decreased by 7 percent in 2011, from about 416,000 in 2010 to around 387,000.
Multitasking during police responses and pursuits
Police officers, for one, often engage in multitasking activities while driving, and that is a part of their job. However, such duties would often take away the officer’s attention away from his or her driving. From complex ones such as entering queries into the mobile data terminal or MDT, to as simple as talking to a fellow officer on the police radio, multitasking while on the line of duty can be dangerous.
In fact, many officers have died in accidents while performing pursuits and emergency responses. Interestingly, in 2009, statistics showed that they often involve those who already had vast experience in law enforcement, particularly 35-year-old officers who had served 9 years in the police force.
Efforts to curb distracted driving in law enforcement
Despite most law enforcement being exempted from laws that prohibit distracted driving, there are states whose agencies have applied such legislation to its police force who exclusively deal with emergency responses and pursuits. One of them is the State of Washington. In Florida, it mandated hands-free voice communication to its troopers, despite the state’s lack of such statute.
However, officers who engage in emergency responses and police pursuits on a regular basis, while exercising professionalism in the line of duty, are often beset with the possibility of encountering accidents.
As it is, driving while on pursuit of a criminal on a heated chase often involves multitasking on the part of the officer. Looking at it, police officers often engage in distracted driving practices, which we all know is one of the primary factors as to why accidental injuries and deaths happen.
Distracted driving explained
Basically, distracted driving, among normal motorists, is more than just using the cell phone to text or call while driving. Activities that are usually done simultaneously with driving are often diverse. They include fidgeting on the car stereo, eating and drinking, talking to a companion inside the vehicle, and picking up a loose change on the floor of the vehicle, among others.
In the United States, distracted driving is one of the lingering problems in the realm of traffic safety. In fact, in 2011, some 3,331 people were killed in car crashes involving a distracted driver. The figure was a 1.9 percent increase from the previous year, which stood at 3,267. Conversely, related injuries decreased by 7 percent in 2011, from about 416,000 in 2010 to around 387,000.
Multitasking during police responses and pursuits
Police officers, for one, often engage in multitasking activities while driving, and that is a part of their job. However, such duties would often take away the officer’s attention away from his or her driving. From complex ones such as entering queries into the mobile data terminal or MDT, to as simple as talking to a fellow officer on the police radio, multitasking while on the line of duty can be dangerous.
In fact, many officers have died in accidents while performing pursuits and emergency responses. Interestingly, in 2009, statistics showed that they often involve those who already had vast experience in law enforcement, particularly 35-year-old officers who had served 9 years in the police force.
Efforts to curb distracted driving in law enforcement
Despite most law enforcement being exempted from laws that prohibit distracted driving, there are states whose agencies have applied such legislation to its police force who exclusively deal with emergency responses and pursuits. One of them is the State of Washington. In Florida, it mandated hands-free voice communication to its troopers, despite the state’s lack of such statute.
Meanwhile, every Los Angeles car accident lawyer informs that there are no relevant laws yet with regard to distracted driving in California’s law enforcement. While there are existing laws in the state with regard to the use of mobile phones while driving for motorists, California authorities might as well pursue a similar statute for the benefit of those who respond to emergencies and pursuits.
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