The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calls on drivers to take a proactive role in road safety by following and spreading this message: Eyes Forward. Don’t Drive Distracted.
According to NHTSA, 16,384 people died and about 1.7 million people were injured in distraction-affected crashes from 2019 to 2023.
In 2023 alone, there were 3275 people killed in traffic crashes involving at least one distracted driver, accounting for 8 percent of all traffic fatalities that year. An estimated additional 324,819 people were injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers in 2023.
Safe driving requires focused attention. Adopting these phone-free driving habits is key to creating a safe driving environment for everyone on the road:
- Pull over and park in a safe location before using the phone to send or read a text message
- Ask a passenger to be the “designated texter” and allow them to manage calls and messages during the drive
- Avoid social media scrolling and any form of messaging while behind the wheel.
- Use “Do Not Disturb” mode to silence notifications
- Drivers can put their phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of the vehicle to break the habit of driving distracted.
Cellphone use while driving is dangerous. Phone-free driving and keeping hands on the wheel is committing to keeping all eyes on the road and focusing on driving. Remember: Eyes Forward. Don’t Drive Distracted.
As April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, click here for more information on distracted driving from the NHTSA.
Click here for a handy stopping and sight distance chart from the Michigan Department of Transportation.