shane77m
02-25-2013, 02:03 PM
I heard this report this weekend while doing some remodeling.
http://www2.alabamas13.com/news/2013/feb/22/13-investigates-laptops-causing-wrecks-alabama-off-ar-5656951/
ANNISTON, Ala. (WVTM) --- With cell phones, 800 megahertz radios and laptop computers law enforcement officers have more technology at their fingertips than ever before these days.
Calhoun County Sheriff Larry Amerson started fighting crime back in 1975.
“In fact, most guys did not have a radio, a commercial radio in their car,” Sheriff Amerson recalled.
However, with the added technology, come added driving hazards.
The temptation to check a suspect's background while driving can be quite tempting for an officer.
Sergeant Steven Jarrett says they train their state troopers to keep their eyes on the road.
“The mobile data terminal or computers inside the vehicle, those should only be used while the vehicle is stopped,” Sergeant Jarrett pointed out.
How well are officers across Alabama following that guideline?
We decided to find out for ourselves.
So we requested a list of every officer-caused crash in Alabama over the last three years where an electronic-device distraction was a factor.
We found during that time there were 156 accidents caused by a distracted officer, compared to more than 36,447 for all distracted drivers.
Of those distracted-officer crashes, 33 cite an electronic device as a factor, compared to about 5,837 for the whole state.
However, from a percentage standpoint, electronic-device involved crashes are higher for officers.
About 21 percent of their distracted crashes were caused by electronic devices compared to 16 percent for all distracted drivers.
“Police officers are human beings. They make mistakes. They get distracted and with these electronic communication devices are very tempting to use in the workplace. So it does not surprise me at all,” reacted Sergeant Jarrett.
To take our investigation even further, we obtained the report for every single one of those 33 officer-caused crashes which involved an electronic device distraction.
In-vehicle laptops contributed to 36 percent of the crashes.
More at the link.
http://www2.alabamas13.com/news/2013/feb/22/13-investigates-laptops-causing-wrecks-alabama-off-ar-5656951/
ANNISTON, Ala. (WVTM) --- With cell phones, 800 megahertz radios and laptop computers law enforcement officers have more technology at their fingertips than ever before these days.
Calhoun County Sheriff Larry Amerson started fighting crime back in 1975.
“In fact, most guys did not have a radio, a commercial radio in their car,” Sheriff Amerson recalled.
However, with the added technology, come added driving hazards.
The temptation to check a suspect's background while driving can be quite tempting for an officer.
Sergeant Steven Jarrett says they train their state troopers to keep their eyes on the road.
“The mobile data terminal or computers inside the vehicle, those should only be used while the vehicle is stopped,” Sergeant Jarrett pointed out.
How well are officers across Alabama following that guideline?
We decided to find out for ourselves.
So we requested a list of every officer-caused crash in Alabama over the last three years where an electronic-device distraction was a factor.
We found during that time there were 156 accidents caused by a distracted officer, compared to more than 36,447 for all distracted drivers.
Of those distracted-officer crashes, 33 cite an electronic device as a factor, compared to about 5,837 for the whole state.
However, from a percentage standpoint, electronic-device involved crashes are higher for officers.
About 21 percent of their distracted crashes were caused by electronic devices compared to 16 percent for all distracted drivers.
“Police officers are human beings. They make mistakes. They get distracted and with these electronic communication devices are very tempting to use in the workplace. So it does not surprise me at all,” reacted Sergeant Jarrett.
To take our investigation even further, we obtained the report for every single one of those 33 officer-caused crashes which involved an electronic device distraction.
In-vehicle laptops contributed to 36 percent of the crashes.
More at the link.