April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program is partnering with the United States Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to share this important message: Put the Phone Away or Pay.
Distracted driving is dangerous and can have deadly consequences. NHTSA says 3,308 people were killed in the United States in 2022 in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers. More than 289,000 people were injured in distracted driving crashes. From 2012 to 2021, distracted driving crashes killed more than 32,000 people.
Most drivers know that it’s dangerous to use their phones while driving, but many drivers do it anyway because they think nothing will happen to them. They’ll send a text, post to social media, or watch a video – taking their eyes off the road.
“While distracted driving, particularly texting while driving, has been at the forefront of highway safety for decades, it is bothersome that people still ignore the tragic consequences,” Jack McNeely, GHSP director, said. “Young people learn a lot from others. I implore all parents to set a good example while behind the wheel. Your most precious cargo is watching.”
If a person can’t resist the urge to use the phone, turn on the phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, or put the phone in the glove compartment, trunk, or back seat. Designate a passenger to be a “designated texter.” If a person is expecting an important text, pull over and park the car in a safe location before reading or responding to the text.
Using a handheld mobile device or texting while driving is illegal in West Virginia. A person can expect law enforcement officers to be on the lookout for drivers who violate the law. Remember to Put the Phone Away or Pay.