April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Across the country, April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. During this time, several government and health agencies want to remind Americans of the dangers of driving while distracted. Distraction can lead to catastrophic car, truck and motorcycle accidents.

As a driver, you can become distracted many ways, including by:

• Texting
• Talking on a cell phone
• Talking via a hands-free device
• Reading a map or other material
• Eating or drinking
• Applying makeup or personal grooming

All of these activities become distracting to the extent they draw your hands, eyes and mind away from the task of driving. Texting tends to be cited as one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving because it involves all three – your hands, eyes and mind. Distraction increases the risk of getting in an auto accident. With the widespread use of electronic devices and dashboard infotainment systems, drivers often feel tempted to use these devices, but driving requires careful attention to what’s happening all around you.

You can find materials, infographics, and sign a pledge to drive cell-free at the National Safety Council’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month webpage. The NSC says thousands of people die every year in car accidents caused by distracted driving.