.svg)
April 1 marks the start of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a time to reflect and commit to focusing on our roads. This annual event was launched in 2012 by the National Safety Council and has since grown into an international effort. Distracted driving is a serious issue that affects us all, whether we are behind the wheel or a pedestrian crossing the street. Throughout this month, we will be raising awareness of this important issue and encouraging everyone to take action to stay safe on our roads. By pledging to put away our phones while driving, we can make a difference in reducing distracted driving-related accidents and fatalities.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2009</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Research on Distracted Driving</div><div class='timeline-text'>Extensive research demonstrates the dangers of distracted driving, especially texting while driving, leading to increased awareness of the issue.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First State Laws Against Distracted Driving</div><div class='timeline-text'>States begin to enact laws prohibiting texting and other forms of distracted driving to combat the rising problem.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2012</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Start of Distracted Driving Awareness Month</div><div class='timeline-text'>The National Safety Council launches Distracted Driving Awareness Month every April, to help educate the public about the dangers of distracted driving.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2014</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Celebrity Advocacy and Awareness Campaigns</div><div class='timeline-text'>Prominent figures and celebrities began spearheading campaigns against distracted driving, increasing the visibility of the issue.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2017</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>More Strident Laws</div><div class='timeline-text'>States strengthen laws against distracted driving, with stricter penalties for violations and wider definitions of what constitutes distracted driving.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Usage of Technology against Distracted Driving</div><div class='timeline-text'>Apps and in-car systems are widely developed and used to discourage drivers from using their phones while driving, further highlighting the issue.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Share your story</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Talk to friends and family about your own experiences with distracted driving, or even stories you may have heard from others. Sharing these stories can help raise awareness and encourage people to drive more safely.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Take a pledge</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Show your commitment to driving without distractions by taking a pledge not to text and drive or use a cell phone while driving. You can also encourage others to join you in taking the pledge.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Spread the word</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Share posters, articles, and videos about distracted driving with your friends and family, so they can also learn more about the issue and become aware of the dangers of distracted driving.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Start a conversation</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Discuss the dangers of distracted driving with your friends, family, and coworkers to help them understand why they should avoid it. Ask them to join you in spreading the message through their social media accounts.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Get involved</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Look for organizations or campaigns that are working to raise awareness about distracted driving and get involved. You can volunteer your time or donate money to help support their efforts.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Distracted driving can be deadly</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>When drivers are distracted, they are not paying full attention to the road and other vehicles around them, which increases their risk of getting into an accident. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of death on our roads, so it's important that we pay attention to our surroundings and stay focused while behind the wheel.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It raises awareness about the dangers of distracted driving</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By observing Distracted Driving Awareness Month, we can help spread the message that distracted driving is not acceptable and must be stopped. By showing others the risks associated with such behavior, we can help prevent future accidents and save lives.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes responsible driving habits</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Distracted Driving Awareness Month also serves as a reminder to be more aware of our actions when behind the wheel. We should always put safety first by keeping our eyes on the road, hands on the wheel, and phones away from us until we’ve safely arrived at our destination.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Distracted Driving Affects All Age Groups, but Especially Young Drivers</h3><p class='facts-content'>Drivers under the age of 20 have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Texting While Driving is Among the Most Dangerous Distractions</h3><p class='facts-content'>Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for about five seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Hands-free Conversations are Not Risk-free</h3><p class='facts-content'>Even when you're using hands-free devices, the call itself is also a major distraction. You're still mentally distracted which dramatically slows reaction times, making crashes much more likely.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Multitasking is a Myth When Driving</h3><p class='facts-content'>While we may think we're good at doing several things at once, research shows the brain is not truly capable of multitasking. Driving and talking or texting are two thinking tasks that involve many areas of the brain, and they can't be done simultaneously.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Seat-belt Usage is Lower for Distracted Drivers</h3><p class='facts-content'>Drivers distracted by visual-manual tasks (such as texting) are also less likely to wear seatbelts, increasing the risk of serious injury in the event of a crash.</p></div></div>
Distracted Driving Awareness Month is celebrated on April 1st every year. In 2024, it will fall on a Monday.
2023
Apr 1
Saturday
2024
Apr 1
Monday
2025
Apr 1
Tuesday
2026
Apr 1
Wednesday
2027
Apr 1
Thursday
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
