When is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month?
April 4, 2022 by Jean Humbrecht
Car accidents are increasing each year in Virginia and throughout the country. Distracted driving is a major contributor to this increasing trend.
Distracted driving can be caused by a variety of things, such as cell phones, in-vehicle technology, other people in and outside of the vehicle, driving after drinking, using drugs or taking medication, eating, drinking, grooming, and adjusting music or volume in the vehicle. Fatigue and stress can also contribute to distractions while driving just as much as physical distractions in a person’s car.
Additionally, teenagers have a higher chance of being involved in an accident due to distracted driving, especially because of texting while driving.
For more information on the causes of distracted driving in Virginia, see the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute article here.
When is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month?
Congress declared April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. During National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, organizations focus on promoting safe driving habits and educating drivers on the dangers of distracted driving.
Cell Phones are a Major Cause of Distracted Driving
When is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month?
Cell phone use is a leading cause of distracted driving in Virginia. Additionally, studies show that even if drivers are using hands-free technology while driving, they are still less likely to see potential hazards due to the distraction of their phones.
Many people also mistakenly think that because cars now come equipped with technology and safety features that they are safer on the roads as a result of using this technology. Safety features such as rear-facing cameras, motion-activated lights and in-vehicle GPS may create a false sense of security. Relying on technology that could malfunction at any time may result in drivers being inattentive to hazards on the road.
A person also is more likely to be the a victim of a crime if he or she is distracted on the road. This is because the driver is not paying attention to his or her surroundings.
In order to reduce the hazards from cell phone use while driving, Virginia laws now prohibit drivers from having a cell phone in their hands. This is cfrequently referred to as the Texting While Driving law or Hands-Free Law. For more information on the Virginia prohibition against having a cell phone in one’s hand while driving, click here.
How to Prevent Distracted Driving
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 text, having a passenger send or respond to a text on the driver’s phone, putting the phone away, driving at the speed limit, not driving after drinking alcohol or taking any medication, and continuing to look in rearview mirrors and blind spots, among many other things.
For more information on National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, see the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website here.
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