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National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Distracted driving is deadly.  According to the National Safety Council (NSC), an estimated one in four crashes is caused by cell phone use while driving.  In 2018, there were at least 2,800 fatalities due to distracted driving in the U.S. 

Distracted driving, whether caused by cellphone texting, calling, eating, adjusting the entertainment or navigation system, applying makeup, or any other distraction, is a danger to the driver, passengers, and every other driver on the road.   When drivers are distracted visually, manually, or cognitively, they increase the risk of making an error that can result in serious injuries and/or fatalities.  Texting is probably the worst distraction, since reading a text involves looking down for a few seconds.  While driving at 55 mph, reading a text is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.[1]

National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.  This national campaign by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) and state and local law enforcement is designed to promote changes in driver behavior through education, awareness, legislation and enforcement. 

Preventing Distracted Driving

Parents need to be role models, sign the pledge, and always demonstrate distraction-free driving.  Teens should take the same pledge, follow through, encourage friends to take the pledge, and be vocal about distracted driving with friends. Take the Just Drive Pledge from the National Safety Council (NSC) by visiting this link.  Then, share your pledge with #justdrive.

Distraction-Free Driving Tips

In addition to taking the pledge, we urge you to follow these safety tips for distraction-free driving:

• Never text and drive.
• Refrain from any type of social media while driving.
• Pull over and park in a safe place before looking at your phone.
• If you feel tempted to use your phone, turn it off and leave it in the trunk.
• Find a passenger to be a “designated texter.”
• Keep in mind that hands-free isn’t completely risk-free.  Even though your hands are on the wheel, you may be cognitively distracted while on the phone.  Drivers should focus on driving and leave other conversations for later.
• Avoid eating, taking phone calls, and anything else that causes distraction from what you should be doing.

Encourage friends, neighbors, and family members to read these important tips by sharing this article.

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[1] National Safety Council (NSC) https://www.nsc.org/