When is Distracted Driving Awareness Month?
April 27, 2022 by Jean Humbrecht
When is Distracted Driving Awareness Month?
Traffic accidents-and resulting injuries and fatalities-are increasing every year in Virginia and throughout the country. A major contributor to these accidents is distracted driving.
Distractions while driving can come from cell phones, in-vehicle technology and infotainment, passengers, driving after drinking alcohol or using drugs or medication, eating and drinking, grooming or putting on make-up, and adjusting music or volume in the car. Fatigue and stress can also contribute to distractions while driving just as much as physical distractions in a person’s vehicle.
Additionally, teenage drivers have a higher chance of being involved in an accident as a result of distracted driving, especially because of texting while driving.
For more information on the many causes of distracted driving in Virginia, see the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute article here.
When is Distracted Driving Awareness Month?
In 2010, Congress declared April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. During Distracted Driving Awareness Month, organizations focus on promoting safe driving habits, as well as educating drivers about the dangers of distracted driving.
Cell Phone Use is a Major Cause of Distracted Driving in Virginia
Cell phone use is a leading cause of distracted driving and resulting car accidents in Virginia. Additionally, studies show that even if drivers are using hands-free technology while driving (which they should and most states require by law), they are still less likely to see potential hazards due to the distractions of their phones.
Many people also have the misconception that because cars come equipped with technology and safety features that they are safer on the roads as a result of using this technology. These features include the ability to hear a text read aloud and reply by speaking into the car speakers as well as the ability to call someone by speaking via bluetooth technology, among other things.
Cell Phone Use While Driving Results in a Large Number of Car Accidents in Virginia
Additionally, safety features such as rear-facing cameras, motion-activated lights on mirrors and in-vehicle GPS may create a false sense of security for drivers. Relying on technology that could malfunction at any time may result in drivers being inattentive to potential hazards on the road.
A person also increases his or her chances of becoming a victim of a crime if he or she is distracted while driving. This is because the driver is not paying attention to his or her surroundings.
In order to cut down on the hazards from cell phone use while driving, Virginia enacted a law prohibiting having a cell phone in a person’s hand at all while driving. This is commonly referred to as the Texting While Driving law or Hands-Free Law. For more information on the prohibition against having a cell phone in one’s hand while driving in Virginia, click here.
How to Prevent Distracted Driving in Virginia
There are many ways drivers can reduce potential distractions while driving in Virginia. These include using cell phone blocking apps, pulling over to make a call or send a message, having a passenger send or respond to a text on the driver’s phone, putting the phone away while driving, maintaining the speed limit, not driving after drinking alcohol or taking any medication, and continuing to look in rearview mirrors and blind spots, among other things.
For more information on Distracted Driving Awareness Month, see the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website here.
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