April Is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

MERIDIAN, Idaho – As the weather warms and more drivers take to the road, April marks National Distracted Driving Awareness Month—a critical time to shine a light on the deadly dangers of distracted driving. The Idaho State Police (ISP) and our Commercial Vehicle Safety Division are joining law enforcement agencies and traffic safety partners nationwide to remind drivers to keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.

In 2023 alone, 3,275 lives were lost in crashes involving distracted drivers. That’s 8% of all fatal crashes—each one a preventable tragedy. Over the past decade, more than 32,000 people have died in distracted driving-related crashes.

“Behind every distracted driving fatality is a family forever changed,” said Captain Jason Bailey, ISP Commercial Vehicle Safety. “Whether it’s a quick text, a call, or checking a GPS app, taking your eyes off the road for even five seconds is all it takes. That’s the length of a football field at 55 mph—with your eyes closed. Don’t do it. Whatever it is, it can wait.”

Distracted driving includes anything that diverts your attention from the task of driving—texting, talking on the phone, eating, adjusting the radio, or even chatting with passengers. These are just a few examples of what constitutes distracted driving, with texting remaining the most alarming distraction.

How You Can Help:

• Pull over and park if you need to send a message.
• Use your phone’s Do Not Disturb feature while driving.
• Assign a passenger to handle calls and messages.
• Speak up if someone is driving distracted.
• Lead by example—put your phone down every time you drive.

Parents play a crucial role in this fight against distracted driving. Talking with young drivers about their driving responsibilities can instill a sense of importance and influence their decisions. Teens, in turn, can be powerful messengers among their peers, holding friends accountable and spreading awareness on social media.

Distracted driving isn’t just a personal risk—it’s a public safety issue requiring collective effort. Let’s work together, as a community, to make distraction-free driving the norm on Idaho’s roads. We all have a role in this cause; we can make a difference together.

To learn more and access educational resources, visit www.nhtsa.gov/distracted-driving.

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