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Proclamation Designating August 2025 as "Distracted Driving Awareness Month in Los Alamos" (Accepted by Police Chief Dino Sgambellone)
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Whereas, public safety, including the reduction of fatalities and injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes, are goals shared by all across Los Alamos County; and
Whereas, distracted driving was the official cause of 3,275 fatalities and more than 289,000 injuries across the nation in 2023 according to National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and estimates that distraction was involved in 29% of all crashes, resulting in 10,546 fatalities, 1.3 million nonfatal injuries, and $98.2 billion in economic costs in 2019; and
Whereas, crash risk is 2-6 times greater when drivers are manipulating a cell phone compared with when they are not distracted, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety; and
Whereas, recently the County has adopted Ordinance 38-315 on June 16, 2025, to address Distracted Driving by prohibiting drivers from operating a motor vehicle while engaging in any activity which interferes with the safe operation of the vehicle including using handheld cell phones, to text, create or send messages, and read messages, and
Whereas, the Los Alamos Police Department has established August 1 thru August 17, 2025, as Operation Just Drive, to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and encourage positive changes in driving behavior with motorist in Los Alamos County.
Now, therefore, on behalf of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos, I do hereby declare the month of August as
“DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH”
In Los Alamos County and encourage all citizens to commit to JUST DRIVE by using Do Not Disturb technology to reduce cell phone distractions while driving, or put their phones away and remain hands free while driving.
DATED this 29th day of July 2025.