April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month!

In an effort to reduce the number of deaths as a result of this dangerous behavior, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Safety Commission are campaigning to spread awareness and help keep America's roads safe from Distracted Driving.

What is Distracted Driving?

The foremost activity that comes to mind when people think of distracted driving is the use of a mobile communication device, or "texting and driving". Studies show that sending or reading a text takes a driver's eyes off the road for an average of 5 seconds. Under most driving speeds, this is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

However, distracted driving is ANY activity that removes the driver's attention from the task of driving. These activities include, eating and drinking, talking to passengers in your vehicle, adjusting stereo, entertainment, or navigation systems, applying makeup, and of course, talking or texting on your phone.

In 2019 an estimated 3,142 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. It is important to spread awareness and education to promote safe driving practices that can save lives and end distracted driving.