Distracted Driving

July 23, 2024

Let’s take a little time this week to talk about texting and driving. We all know that distracted driving is against the law. We should also understand how dangerous it can be. In 2023 alone, distracted driving contributed to 11 traffic fatalities in Harford County. Let’s dive into what makes distracted driving so dangerous.

Studies have shown that, on average, sending or receiving a text message in your vehicle will take your attention away from the road for about 5 seconds. Now, this is not to say that you are having a long, drawn-out conversation with your fantasy football squad. This is one single text message. Something as simple as “Will you stop at the store and pick up a milkshake from Chik-Fil-A”, will divert your attention from the task of driving for about 5 seconds. So, what’s the big deal? Well, I’m glad you asked. If you are driving at highway speed, which is around 65 miles per hour, you are moving at about 95.29 feet per second. This means that every second that passes, you are rambling 95 feet down the road. When you decide to pick up you cell phone and read the message from your BFF, you are covering roughly 426.45 feet WITHOUT looking at the road.

Pretty scary to think that you are traversing the length of a football field without seeing where you are going. Now, let’s add to that the average perception/reaction time of an adult driver. A sober, adult human being, in perfect weather condition has an average perception/ reaction time of about 1.6 seconds (This is rooted in science. Feel free to fact check me here). So, at 65 miles per hours, you will cover about 152.26 feet reacting to an obstacle in front of you. Add that to the time you spent reading the text message your milkshake-addicted friend sent you and you are hurtling down the road for roughly 579 feet without seeing the road in front of you. Basically, you are covering the distance of two football fields in a 3000-pound missile with no regard for those around you. It is no wonder texting while driving is such a dangerous endeavor.
The next time you are driving and hear your text notification go off, think about the potential lives you could save by NOT answering right away. That message can wait, but we can never get back the lives we lose to distracted driving.

Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely.

HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org

Vacation Planning

July 9, 2024

Summer is in full swing, which means lots of you are hitting the open road for vacations, weekend trips, or just a quick dip in the local pool. When you are out driving, prevention is always a good idea. If you take steps to plan ahead, you can avoid dangerous breakdowns on the road.

Be sure to have your car serviced before any long trips. Changing the oil and topping off necessary fluids will help your car help you get to where you are going. The last thing you want is to be stuck on the side of a busy highway with 7 screaming kids and a dog in 103-degree heat.

Pack an emergency kit. Things like snacks, a flashlight, jumper cables and LOTS of water will all be your best friend should you find yourself stranded and waiting on help. I would avoid things like gummy bears though. They hate the heat more than you do.

Finally, take your time. Leave early and plan your trip so you don’t feel rushed. There are going to be lots and lots of other drivers sharing the road with you this summer. Don’t let frustration and aggressive driving ruin an otherwise fun vacation.

Follow these simple tips and you will be able to enjoy your time away to work on your base tan and prepare for the next great adventure: the drive back home.
Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely.

HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org

Cool Tips for Travelling with Your Pets

June 25, 2024

Hot Dog, was it ever hot last weekend! It seems like summer is here in full force. While the oppressive heat can be managed in many cases with a strong dose of air conditioning and an ice-cold beverage, it isn’t so easy for our four-legged friends. Dogs and cats are especially susceptible to extreme weather. Here are a couple of COOL tips for travelling with your pets.

No matter what the outside temperature is, you should never leave your dog (or cat, or ferret, or hamster, or llama) in an unattended vehicle. The inside of a car can heat up very quickly, which can result in terrible consequences for your poor four legged friend. In fact, Harford County Code Section 64-20 says “No person shall leave any animal unattended in a motor vehicle when the temperature 70° F., except the Sheriff, a police K-9 officer, or within any vehicle equipped with a safety climate control system designed for animal transport.” Not only could this land you a criminal citation for animal cruelty, you could also be charged with a traffic citation for “endangering the health, safety, and welfare of a cat or dog by leaving them in an unattended motor vehicle.” This carries a seventy dollar fine.

“But Sergeant Eaton…I am just running into the store for a second and I always leave the air conditioning on so Bruno doesn’t get too hot.” Not so fast! Maryland Transportation article forbids leaving an unattended vehicle running. This one also carries a fine of seventy dollars plus one point against your driving record.

Believe me when I tell you, there is nothing I love more than putting my dogs (Winston and Kate) in the car, strapping on their doggie seatbelts and hitting the open road. However, if we are going someplace that doesn’t allow dogs (which should itself be a crime), it is better to just leave them at home.

Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely.
HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org

Border to Border

June 11, 2024

Earlier today, The Harford County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit, along with a few members of patrol and one Maryland State Trooper, participated in a “Border to Border” seatbelt channelization detail. You are probably asking yourself, “what is seatbelt channelization?” “Was it effective?” “Did the Trooper look handsome in his Stetson hat?” Let me offer some insight.

We call the event “Border to Border,” because we worked at the county Line in conjunction with the Baltimore County Police Department.

Officers and Deputies on each side of the county line targeted motorists who were either not wearing a seatbelt or driving distracted. This certainly doesn’t mean we ignored other moving violations. Just that distracted driving and seatbelt misuse were the main goals. As far as the effectiveness of the detail, the numbers speak for themselves. In just four hours, eleven Law Enforcement Officer made 81 traffic stops, issued 49 citations, 49 warnings, and 5 safety equipment repair orders. One of the best parts of the detail is that the funding came from a grant provided by the Maryland Highway Safety Office. It is details like this one that allow the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and our allied partners to work toward zero deaths on Maryland roadways.

As the summer heats up, and more and more drivers take to the road, you can expect to see officers working traffic enforcement details just like this to help keep everyone safe. Be sure you are following the rules of the road and wearing your seatbelt on every trip, because it won’t matter how handsome the Stetson hat is if the officer wearing it is issuing you a citation.

Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely.
HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org