distracted driving

The busiest segment of the Washington metro area's Capital Beltway is one huge distracting construction zone at present. Toll concession partners Transurban and Fluor are widening the mainline of the Beltway from eight lanes to twelve and rebuilding or adding to interchanges - in order to get 2x2 toll express lanes in the center while maintaining 2x4 free lanes on the outside.

US Secretary of transportation Ray LaHood and his USDOT have put considerable emphasis in the past year on the dangers of distracted driving. Texting-while-driving is the big No-No. Cell phone use is also considered dangerous behavior. But they have cast the net wider, suggesting that public safety is jeopardized by a broader range of distractions.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike is promoting safety breaks at its busiest service plazas - Allentown on the NE Extension and Sideling Hill on the mainline 10am to 1pm Friday June 11.

The Turnpike has safety officers propagandizing against 'distracted driving' and overlong journeys at the wheel. They'll be handing out materials and giving little talks to motorists about not using mobile phones while driving, and other safer driving practices.