Distracted driving is deadly driving. It claims more than 3,000 lives in the U.S. each year. Fatal crashes can occur when a driver takes their mind off driving, their eyes off the road or their hands off the wheel.
To help prevent distracted-driving crashes, try these tips.
Focus on driving:
- Call or text only when safely parked.
- Have a passenger be your designated texter.
- Adjust your mirrors and your music player before your trip.
- Don't eat while driving—leave early, allowing enough time to stop to eat.
- Ask a passenger to help with your car's navigation.
- Remind young drivers in your home to focus on the road.
Out of sight, out of mind. If you're tempted to text and drive, try this instead.
Reviewed 3/25/2024
Sources- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Distracted Driving." https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/Distracted_Driving/index.html.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Distracted Driving." https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "Distractions In and Out of the Vehicle." https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/driverdistractions.pdf.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "U Drive. U Text. U Pay." https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/distracted-driving.
- National Safety Council. "Technology Can Reduce Cell Phone Distracted Driving." https://www.nsc.org/road/safety-topics/distracted-driving/technology-solutions.