Some temptations are hard to resist. Imagine you’re driving down the road when you hear that familiar “ding” from your phone: a text, an email, or a call. It’s easy to think, “I’ll just look really quick.” We know better, yet we convince ourselves that one quick look won’t hurt.
The truth is, sometimes that’s all it takes. A moment of distraction can change a life forever.
Why do we engage in behavior we know is dangerous, and, in many states, illegal? Perhaps it’s because we believe we’re in control. According to research from AAA, most drivers consider themselves to be better-than-average behind the wheel. We live busy lives, juggle multiple responsibilities, and have become accustomed to multitasking. Unfortunately, driving doesn’t work that way. It demands our full attention at all times.
August is Back-to-School Safety Month, making it the perfect time to remind ourselves that the roads are about to get busier. As students return to classrooms, school buses will return to their routes. Crossing guards, bicyclists, young drivers, and children walking to school will become part of daily traffic again. This seasonal increase in traffic makes it even more important for every driver to eliminate distractions and remain alert.
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts your attention away from driving. While cell phones receive the most attention, distractions come in many forms. Adjusting your vehicle’s navigation system, changing the radio station, eating, reaching for an item on the floor, talking with passengers, or even daydreaming can all take your focus away from the road.
Texting remains one of the most dangerous distractions because it demands your eyes, hands, and attention all at once. Sending or reading a text message takes your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds. At 55 miles per hour, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. None of us would intentionally drive with our eyes closed, but that’s essentially what happens every time we read or send a text behind the wheel.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving contributes to thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries across the United States each year. Behind each number is a real person who now owns a story that could have been prevented.
The risks become even greater when people are working along the roadside. Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, tow truck operators, highway maintenance crews and utility lineworkers routinely work just a few feet from moving traffic. They often work in difficult weather and low-light conditions, and after storms, when drivers may already face reduced visibility and hazardous road conditions.
At Vernon Electric Cooperative, our lineworkers respond to outages at all hours of the day and night. After severe storms, they may spend long hours restoring power while working from bucket trucks positioned along roadsides. Their attention is focused on repairing damaged power lines and safely restoring electricity to members—not on watching for distracted drivers approaching from behind.
Unfortunately, emergency lights and warning signs don’t always capture the attention of a distracted motorist. Every year, utility workers and first responders experience close calls. Some suffer serious injuries. Some never make it home. One moment of distraction puts both the driver and the workers at risk.
The same dangers exist for law enforcement officers conducting traffic stops, firefighters responding to crashes, EMS personnel providing medical care, and tow truck operators clearing disabled vehicles. These professionals willingly place themselves in harm’s way to protect and assist others. The least we can do is give them the space they need to work safely.
Wisconsin’s Move Over Law requires drivers to move over into another lane when approaching an authorized emergency vehicle, tow truck, highway maintenance vehicle, or utility vehicle displaying flashing warning lights, if it can be done safely. If changing lanes isn’t possible due to traffic or road conditions, drivers must significantly reduce their speed and proceed with caution. This simple action provides a crucial safety buffer for the people working just feet away from passing traffic.
Vernon Electric crews establish a roadside work zone while completing line work. Drivers should slow down, move over when possible, and remain alert when approaching utility vehicles.
Moving over isn’t simply about following the law—it’s about recognizing that the person working alongside the road is someone’s spouse, parent, child, friend, or neighbor. Our lineworkers live and work in the communities they serve. They coach youth sports, volunteer at local events, and raise their families here. Every crew member who heads out to restore power deserves to return home safely after their job is done.
Parents also have an important role to play this time of year. As teenagers begin driving themselves to school, they are still developing safe driving habits and may be especially susceptible to the distractions of smartphones and other technology. Conversations about putting phones away, limiting distractions, and slowing down around school buses, construction zones, and roadside workers can help build safe habits that last a lifetime. Leading by example is equally important. Young drivers notice when adults prioritize safe driving, and they notice when we don’t.
At Vernon Electric Cooperative, safety is at the core of everything we do. We invest in training our employees, maintain our equipment, and follow strict safety procedures to reduce risk on the job. That’s why we continue to encourage everyone to stay alert, eliminate distractions, and slow down whenever they encounter roadside workers.
The next time your phone buzzes while you’re driving, leave it. It can wait until you’ve reached your destination. If you see flashing lights ahead—whether from a police cruiser, ambulance, fire engine, tow truck, highway maintenance vehicle, or utility bucket truck—slow down, move over when it’s safe, and give those workers the room they need to do their jobs safely.
Together, we can make our roads safer for students heading back to school, families traveling across our communities, first responders answering emergencies, and lineworkers working to keep your lights on. One simple decision to stay focused behind the wheel could save a life — perhaps even the life of someone you know.