April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month so educate yourself and your family, friends, and peers about the danger it poses. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for American teens, and when it comes to distracted driving, young people are among the most likely to text and talk behind the wheel.
In 2011, 3,331 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver, and an additional 387,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver. Text messaging is by far the most risky distraction because it requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver. Thirty-nine states and DC ban texting while driving. Other distractions include cell phone use, eating and drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, and operating a navigation system.
How can teens get involved? Visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s website, www.distraction.gov, to take the pledge to drive phone-free; access videos, avatars, and stats to share on Facebook and Twitter; and download free flyers, posters, and a sample school presentation. The site also provides resources for parents, educators, employers, and community groups. Make a commitment – especially this April – to spread the word about safe, distraction-free driving.
Read more about teen driver safety here.