Distracted driving awareness

Although April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, this issue deserves your attention year round every single time you get behind the wheel. Most of us have been driving for years. We feel comfortable behind the wheel and confident we can handle a little multitasking en route to our destination. But the reality is: You simply can’t drive safely unless it has your full attention. So the next time you’re tempted to send that quick text or look up those directions, consider these consequences.

• Every day about 9 people in the United States are killed in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver.

• In 2022 alone, 3,308 lives were lost to distracted driving.

• Texting takes your eyes off the road for an average of five seconds – at 55 mph, that’s long enough to drive the length of an entire football field.

Ending distracted driving starts with recognizing the dangers of this behavior and eliminating distractions. Here are some tips to help keep you and everyone else safer on the road.

• Before you even start your car, turn off or silence your electronic devices and put them out of reach. If you have to use your phone, pull over and stop the vehicle before doing so. Remember, many states have laws banning cell phone use and texting while driving.
• Don’t be afraid to speak up if you’re the passenger of someone who’s driving distracted. Offer to make the phone call, pick the radio station, search for directions or send the text so he or she can stay focused on the road.
• If you’re a parent, talk to your kids about safe, responsible driving and set a good example behind the wheel.
• Make sure everyone wears a seat belt – it’s the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from unsafe, distracted drivers.

Source: https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving