April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month: 5 Tips to Stay Safe

• April 4, 2023

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Texting while driving is now one of the leading causes of death among teenage drivers according to a recent study by Cohen Children’s Medical Center. For young, novice drivers, distracted driving is compounded by the inexperience factor and increases the risk of a collision. But distracted driving adversely affects all age groups.

In 2021 alone, distracted driving killed 3,522 people. Distracted driving goes beyond simply texting to include some of the following:

1. talking on a cell phone
2. adjusting devices such as radios and GPSs
3. grooming
4. eating
5. attending to children or pets, and
6. interacting with other passengers in the vehicle

To help avoid distractions while driving, please follow these simple safety tips:

1. Store or turn off cell phones while driving. If an emergency call must be made, pull safely over to the side of the road.
2. Set your GPS, radio, and temperature controls before you begin your trip.
3. If traveling with pets, be sure they are properly restrained. Even a minor crash can result in a major injury to a pet if it is not properly restrained.
4. Avoid attending to children while operating a vehicle.
5. If you drop an object while driving, leave it until you reach your destination

For more information on distracted driving from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA, click here.