Prince William police: When driving, be prepared for the unexpected

It's summer, which means more cars on the road. Whether you're out on a weekend road trip or taking a week-long family vacation, the Prince William County Police Department reminds you to prac-tice safe driving techniques, and be aware of new driving laws that went into effect July 1.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), a significant number of crashes are caused by driver distractions. Using a cell phone or texting can increase your chances of being involved in a crash, but there are also other types of distractions that can be just as serious, including eating, dealing with small children, talking with passengers, or even looking at objects out the win-dow.

There are several new laws you need to be aware of related to distracted driving. The first prohibits reading or typing text messages while driving. Police officers can now issue a citation for this violation; however, it must be secondary to another offense such as speeding or other traffic violation. Exemptions include using global positioning systems (GPS), or using a wireless devise to report an emergency.

Another new law states that Virginia drivers younger than 18 may not operate a motor vehicle while using a cellular telephone or other wireless communication device. The law prohibits the use of cell phones, even if they are considered to be hands-free. It also prohibits text-messaging while driving.

All Virginia drivers under 18 are issued provisional driver's licenses, which carries other limitations as well, such as restrictions on the number of passengers and driver curfews. The ban on cell-phone usage while driving for those under 18 is also considered a secondary violation, similar in Virginia to safety belt laws.

When driving, your first responsibility is the safety of those in your vehicle and others on the road. Practice the following tips to minimize distracted driving, and most importantly, have a safe and enjoyable sum-mer!

n Change your behavior and recognize the activities that are distracting, such as eating, talking or changing the radio station. Once you recognize these distractions, you can work to eliminate them.

n Pull over if you need to do something that will take your eyes and/or mind off the road. Find a safe loca-tion first.

n Avoid driving while tired, and never drive while intoxicated.

n Manage your time so that you do not have to multi-task or drive aggressively to make an appointment or meeting.

n Be patient and don't take the other driver's mistake personally. Many car crashes, deaths and injuries could be avoided by slowing down and being polite and courteous, even if the other driver is not. Avoid conflict if possible; if another driver challenges you, take a deep breath, and move out of the way.

n Scan the roadway to make sure that you are aware of others on the road at all times. Be prepared for the unpredictability of others.

Send questions or comments to PWCPD-PIO, 8900 Freedom Center Blvd., Manassas, VA 20192 or via email to policedept@pwc gov.org.