MADRID – The DGT launched a campaign from September 16-22 called #CampañaControlDistracciones. During this week police were focused on drivers being distracted at the wheel.
In most cases, this was using or looking at a mobile phone. However, they found there were several other common distractions.
2930 fines
These include putting on the seatbelt whilst driving, wearing headphones, reading, or handling papers, and searching for objects.
Police used unmarked vehicles, and helicopters as well as the regular trafico police cars to identify the culprits.
As a result of the campaign, there were 6,840 infringements. And an astounding 2,930 (almost half) fines were issued just in that week for the most common offense which was using the mobile phone.
📢Resultados #CampañaControlDistracciones 16-22 sept
➡️ 6.840 denuncias y casi la mitad, 2.930, por usar el móvil mientras se conduce📵
➡️Ponerse el cinturón mientras se conduce, usar auriculares, leer o manipular papeles o buscar objetos, otras infracciones frecuentes📽️👇 pic.twitter.com/5vSUY6UuKF
— Dir. Gral. Tráfico (@DGTes) October 1, 2021
Being distracted can have lifelong consequences
As reported by Boost Driver Training, research shows that being distracted when driving, such as by a mobile phone, increases the risk of a crash. Simply taking your eyes off the road for longer than two seconds, doubles the risk of a crash.
At 60 km/h if you look at your phone while driving for just two seconds, you travel 33 metres blind. A short lapse of concentration can have lifelong consequences. It is equivalent to driving with your eyes closed.
See how far you travel at different speeds when you take your eyes off the road for just two seconds:
| Travel speed | Metres travelled in 2 seconds |
| 40 km/h | 22.22 |
| 50 km/h | 27.78 |
| 60 km/h | 33.33 |
| 80 km/h | 44.44 |
| 100 km/h | 55.56 |
