AMARILLO, TX -- We've all seen them. Distracted drivers...on the highways or even city streets.
Like one in particular we caught on tape. We caught her looking up and down behind the wheel of her pickup and then he caught her crossing out of her lane. In fact, we saw people using their phones everywhere...and they can be a big part of the problem. And Amarillo police spokesperson Jerry Neufeld says anything that can be done to reduce distracted drivers is welcome.
"We're driving a 2,000 pound plus weapon around that could kill somebody in a given instant. You need to pay attention to all you're doing."
But he quickly adds that phones aren't the only distractions drivers face. Fixing your hair or make-up, dogs in people's laps, even drivers running through a fast food restaurant and then trying to eat and drive.
"What are they steering with? Their knees, more than likely," says Neufeld. "That's another distraction not just the phones...we need to pay attention. I've heard people doing different things, turn around and yell at the kids, what are we supposed to do, get the kids out of the car? Obviously not."
And when you're driving something as potentially deadly as a car being distracted for only a few seconds, no matter what the reason...can have life threatening consequences
"We've just got to refocus our attention and remember we're driving that 2,000 weapon and pay attention to what's in front of us."
