MetroHealth Recognizes National Trauma Month
The American Trauma Society focuses on the dangers of distracted driving
Cleveland – Distracted driving is a problem every Ohio county faces and as the state begins to reopen, The MetroHealth System is committed to protecting our neighbors from preventable injuries.
May is National Trauma Month and MetroHealth’s Level I Trauma Center, along with the American Trauma Society, is focused on informing drivers of the dangers of visual, manual and cognitive distraction.
Texting while driving is dangerous because it combines all three types of distraction. When you send or read a text message, you take your eyes off the road for about five seconds, that’s long enough to cover the length of a football field while driving at 55 mph.
This year, the ATS has chosen “Distracted to Death: Pay Attention or Pay the Price” to draw attention to the many distractions we face on the road, in our homes or at work.
Year to date in 2020, Cuyahoga County has already seen more distracted driving violations than last year during the same time. Along with the law, MetroHealth physicians believe drivers can decrease the likelihood of an accident by replacing complacency with awareness.
“Many will be eager to venture out and resume previous routines as the warmer weather approaches,” said Carol Kaminoski, Injury Prevention and Outreach Coordinator. “One routine that many may not want to resume is multi-tasking and distraction.”
What we know is that trauma is predictable and preventable. Throughout the month, MetroHealth will be posting on social media and sending out tips to remain safe and stay focused leading up to National Trauma Survivors Day on May 20.
Founded in 1837, MetroHealth is leading the way to a healthier you and a healthier community through service, teaching, discovery, and teamwork. Cuyahoga County’s public, safety-net hospital system, MetroHealth meets people where they are, providing care through five hospitals, four emergency departments and more than 20 health centers. Each day, our nearly 9,000 employees focus on providing our community with equitable healthcare — through patient-focused research, access to care, and support services — that seeks to eradicate health disparities rooted in systematic barriers. For more information, visit metrohealth.org.
