National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

A dangerous practice, distracted drivings claims thousands of lives each year and is responsible for hundreds of thousands of additional motor vehicle accidents and injuries.

Distracted Driving Awareness Month seeks to keep more people safe and prevent deadly crashes by reducing incidences of distracted driving.

History of Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Distracted driving has been around since the 1950s, when sound systems were installed into cars, but the opportunities for distraction have increased over the years.

Statistics involving distracted driving have increased rapidly in recent decades, particularly since cell phones have become commonplace.

The inspiration behind this event involves the tragic story of a young girl who was riding her bicycle when she was hit and killed by a distracted driver – who was talking on her cell phone.

Distracted Driving Awareness Month was first observed in 2010 when the event was passed as a resolution by the United States Congress.

The National Safety Council (NSC), a public service organization in the US, has been a sponsor and advocate for Distracted Driving Awareness Month since its inception.

How to Celebrate Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Make the world a safer place by increasing public and personal knowledge throughout Distracted Driving Awareness Month! Check out some of these ideas to get started with observing the event:

Get the Facts about Distracted Driving

Although many people consider mobile phones to be one of the most common issues, according to the CDC distracted driving is considered to involve anything that takes a person’s attention away from the road.

Distracted driving increases the chances of a person being involved in a motor vehicle accident. Consider some of these other facts in relation to Distracted Driving Awareness Month:

• Approximately 25% of car accidents deaths are the result of distracted driving – which means they could be prevented
• Distracted driving makes up more than 58% of crashes where teens are drivers
• Every day, nine people in the US are killed by distraced driving
• It only takes three seconds of taking the driver’s eyes off the road for a crash to occur

Host a Distracted Driving Awareness Month Campaign

Because teens are often the most affected by distracted driving, parents, teachers, schools administrators, youth workers and others can keep their teens safe by getting them involved with Distracted Driving Awareness Month!

Host a campaign at school or at a teen community center, with education, discussion, commitments and more that encourage teens to learn more about and avoid distracted driving.

Make the Pledge Against Distracted Driving

Drivers all over the United States can spend this month more committed than ever to avoiding distracted driving.

Be intentional about putting cell phones in driving mode or focus mode. Don’t eat while driving. Keep music volumes low. Plan trips in advance using GPS. Stop at a safe location before taking a call or returning a text message.

Be sure to encourage friends and family members to participate in Distracted Driving Awareness Month!