By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville Police Department has responded to 37 crashes that were caused by suspected distracted driving so far in 2021.
From Jan. 1 through June 8, the crashes were reported across the city, but 40% of them happened on or near Highway 11 (Gadsden Highway).
The distractions included cell phones, crying children, other passengers, dogs, lost items inside vehicles, other vehicles on the roadway, and food and drinks.
There were only six crashes in which a driver admitted to being distracted in the month of January and four in the month of February. In March there were nine and there were 10 in April. During the month of May, there were six distracted driving crashes and only two so far in June, as of June 8.
Police Chief Eric Rush said when looking at the total number of crashes in the city, distracted driving crashes do not make up a large percentage.
However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,142 people were killed nationwide in distracted driving crashes in 2019, and distracted driving continues to be a deadly problem.
The state of Alabama has a law, 32-5A-350, that states a person may not operate a motor vehicle on a public road, street or highway in Alabama while using a wireless telecommunication device to write, send or read a text-based communication. Law enforcement agencies have complained that it is nearly impossible to enforce the law.
This year, a bill to prohibit a driver from holding a phone with their hands or shoulders, or watching or recording with a phone while driving failed in the legislature. Even with the more strict bill, some lawmakers questioned if the measure would be enforceable. Some Democrats also expressed concern that the driving law would be used to target minorities for traffic stops.
The city of Trussville also has an ordinance prohibiting distracted driving. The penalty for violating the ordinance is $50 plus court costs and police are only able to enforce the ordinance as a secondary violation.