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April is Distracted Driving Awareness month, and you can be sure that the Georgia Office of Highway Safety will be out enforcing Georgia’s Hands-Free Law in full force. Did you know there are many distractions drivers face when they get behind the wheel? A distraction could be anything from eating, using a navigation system or radio. Did you know that according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety over 84% of drivers recognize the danger from cell phone distractions and find it "unacceptable" that drivers send a text or email while driving, but 35% off those same people admit to driving distracted? We want to remind you to avoid those distractions and just drive. 

Texting, talking and social media use has quickly become the most common distraction. By driving distracted, you’re robbing yourself of seconds that you may need to avoid a close call or deadly crash. Did you know that sending a text takes your eyes off the road for five seconds? At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. In 2022 alone, distracted driving killed over 3,000 people. 

Take responsibility for the choices you make when you’re on the road. Pull over in a safe location to send a text. Designate your passenger as your “designated texter”. Don’t scroll through apps while you’re driving. Put your phone in the glove box or back seat until you arrive at your destination.  After all, if you’re in the driver’s seat, it’s the only thing you should be doing. Remember your children are watching your every move and if they see you giving into driver distractions, they could pick up some bad habits when it’s their turn to take the wheel. Did you know that the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) reports 54% of all motor vehicle traffic crashes had at least one confirmed or suspected distracted driver? 

Remember if you’re texting, you’re not driving. Let’s strive to be handsfree Georgia! 

Content provided by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, nhtsa.gov, and gahighwaysafety.org