April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a campaign this month to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving. 

The "Put the Phone Away or Pay" campaign reminds drivers of the deadly dangers and the legal consequences — including fines — of distracted driving.

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on a phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in the vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system — anything that takes attention away from the task of safe driving.

Texting is the most concerning distraction. Sending or reading a text takes eyes off the road for five seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with eyes closed.

Using a cell phone while driving creates enormous potential for deaths and injuries on U.S. roads. In 2024, 3,208 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. Any non-driving activity engaged in is a potential distraction and increases the risk of crashing.