Distracted driving isn’t just a stupid mistake. It’s a deadly trend on American roads, and it’s getting worse.
See the following video clip.
For the past decade, distracted driving has taken U.S. roadways by storm, endangering not only distracted drivers, but also their passengers, and all other road users.
Talking, using your phone, adjusting the radio, applying makeup, eating or drinking can all distract you from the essential task of safe driving. Far too many drivers succumb to the deadly — and often illegal — temptation that has emerged as one of the most common forms of distracted driving: texting.
Distracted Driving Is Deadly Serious
Lives lost in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2018 — that’s 2,841 too many.
Approximate number of people who died in crashes involving distracted drivers from 2012-2018.
FATAL CRASHES THAT INVOLVED DISTRACTED DRIVERs IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.
Put Your Phone Away, or Get Ready to Pay
Forty-eight states, as well as Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands, have passed laws making it illegal to text while driving.
As a key part of NHTSA’s U Drive. U Text. U Pay. campaign, law enforcement will be hypervigilant, looking for distracted drivers and charging fines. Since 2007, drivers age 16-24 have been distracted by devices at higher rates than other drivers, but we’re all at risk for distracted driving crashes. Consider these tips for safe driving:
- If you must send or receive a text, pull over to a safe location and park your car first.
- If you have passengers, appoint a “designated texter” to handle all your texting.
- If you can’t resist the temptation to look at it, keep your phone in the trunk.
STAY SAFE
SIGN THE PLEDGE
The fight starts here. Take action today, and pledge to stop driving distracted.
Commit yourself to saving lives by never texting or using your phone while driving, and speak up when you see others distracted. #justdrive