As students at Jay Middle School, we are doing a project on the Lego League theme, "Smart Move," which explores transportation safety and technology. It is our objective to inform the community about the dangers of distracted driving, and to decrease the number of distracted drivers on Maine roads.

In September, a new Maine law against distracted driving took effect. It bans any activity that distracts drivers, which could include cell phone use, eating, using electronics, reading and putting on makeup.

Recently, 2003 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was released. Interesting facts presented included that one out of every four traffic crashes is caused by distracted driving, and that more than 200 million in-car phone calls occur daily by cell phone users while driving. The NHTSA concluded that the use of cell phones, while driving, has contributed to an increase in the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities. Research also showed that hand-held or not, the risk from using a cell phone while driving remains the same.

People must keep their eyes on the road and not be distracted while driving. Driving distracted is a very dangerous thing to do. People should avoid talking on their cell phones, texting, eating, playing with the radio and any other things that are distracting while driving.

It is not just unsafe, it is now against the law.

Emily Taylor, Alexa Perkins, Kendra Peart

Jay Middle School Lego League Team