Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the U.S. Department of Transportation will focus the bulk of their campaign to end distracted driving between April 4th to 13th. Meanwhile, across the nation, 660,000 drivers are using handheld cellular devices at any given moment. In support of the DOT’s campaign, Urgent.ly encourages everyone to be aware of distracted driving, its dangers, and its consequences.

Distracted driving is dangerous. Young people are particularly at risk, but they’re not alone. 3,179 people died and another 431,000 were injured in 2014 as a result of crashes involving distracted drivers. In a 2013 study of drivers involved in fatal crashes, drivers between the ages of 15 and 29 accounted for 37% of distracted drivers, and 49% of drivers who were using their cell phone at the time of a fatal crash.

The consequences of distracted driving can also be financially burdensome. In Virginia, where Urgent.ly is based, a 1st time offense for “use of handheld personal communications devices” is punishable by a fine of $125, and punishable by a fine of $250 for a subsequent offense. State punishments range, however. In Alaska, drivers caught texting may face punishments of fines up to $10,000 and a year in prison. The consequences increase if someone is injured or killed as a result.

“If you’re texting, you’re not driving.” The Department of Transportation calls distracted driving “any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving.” This includes not only texting but other activities like eating and putting on makeup. The 3 main types of distractions are visual, manual, and cognitive, and texting is particularly dangerous behind the wheel because it requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver.

What You Can Do

Take the pledge to drive phone-free and help end distracted driving. Then, encourage your friends and family to do the same. Join the Urgent.ly community in signing our online pledge, then share your pledge on social media to build a visible network of people committed to safe driving.

Distracted driving puts everyone in danger, so take the safety of your community into your own hands. Educate others about the dangers and consequences of driving while distracted. You can start a pledge drive in your local community, write an op-ed in your city or town’s newspaper, or contact your state and local representatives to encourage them to support legislation that bans texting and talking on the phone while driving.

The Department of Transportation offers resources including a campaign starter kit for individuals and community groups looking to join the fight to end distracted driving.

Take the Urgent.ly Pledge

In support of the NHTSA and Distracted Driving Awareness Month, Urgent.ly is taking the pledge to drive phone-free in an effort to end distracted driving and create a safer community.

The fight to end distracted driving starts with you. Make the commitment to drive phone-free today.

Distracted driving kills and injures thousands of people each year. I pledge to: