April Is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Thousands of people die every year from distracted driving, according to the National Safety Council. To bring awareness to the issue, April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. NSC estimates that there were over 40,000 deaths on U.S. roads last year alone. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines distracted driving as;

"Any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system—anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving."

Minnesotans For Safe Driving says the total number of Minnesota road fatalities was nearly 400 in 2016. And, shockingly pedestrian deaths are on the rise--they've reached their highest number of fatalities in 25 years. It's important to pay attention to what you're doing on the road and eliminate all possible distractions.

All month long you're encouraged to educate yourself on the dangers of distracted driving, read victim impact stories, understand what distracted driving is, read current state legislation aimed to reduce distraction on Minnesota roads and write letters to your representatives.

Be careful out there and stay off your phone when you're in your car. There's nothing happening on your phone that's worth risking your life or the life of someone else. Stay safe, Minnesota.