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Abstract
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In recognition of the significant public safety dangers associated with drivers who are impaired by the use of alcohol or drugs, as well as by those who engage in distracted driving,∗ the American College of Emergency Physicians:
•Encourages public education about the dangers of impaired, intoxicated, and distracted driving
•Discourages the use of handheld electronic mobile devices while driving motorized vehicles or maneuvering other vehicles
•Recognizes that pedestrians may also be distracted by the use of handheld electronic mobile devices
•Encourages research to quantify the magnitude and severity of injuries to distracted pedestrians and drivers using electronic mobile devices and encourages research involving prevention of these injuries
•Supports measures that enhance the safety of both the offender and the general public and legal sanctions for persons convicted of driving while impaired, intoxicated, or distracted
•Supports innovative technologies that discourage and reduce driver distraction and impairment
•Recognizes that drowsy driving is potentially another form of impaired driving and encourages continued research into its consequences and increasing public awareness of its dangers
•Advocates toxicologic screening of drivers by law enforcement officials in crashes involving fatality or serious injury
•Advocates education efforts in regard to the hazards of binge drinking and other substance abuse because these activities are often associated with impaired driving
•Opposes legislation providing permissive or mandatory reporting of the results of patient toxicologic screening, which conflicts with the appropriate role of physicians in the patient-physician relationship
•Opposes legislation that relieves insurance companies of financial responsibility of otherwise insured losses incurred by beneficiaries who experience the losses because of the actions of those distracted, intoxicated, or impaired while driving
Language: en |