April is Distracted Driving Awareness month which means many cities are local police departments, highway patrol offices, and cities are hosting events to promote safe driving. Overall, the topic of safe, undistracted driving is a prominent one this month. The goal of the awareness campaign is to raise awareness of the severity of distracted driving, as well as the frequency of it. In our modern day and age, distracted driving has become incredibly common, with cellphones being the number one cause of it.
The Santa Monica Police Department is sponsoring a distracted driving awareness program.
This program specifically targets safe driving with the message “eyes forward and keep your hands on the wheel.” The department shared a page of information on their website in which they highlight all of the key factors to remember as a non-distracted driver. Furthermore, their informational page highlights how severe of an issue it is in the state of California.
They reported statistics from a 2024 survey that show concerning numbers.
According to the California Statewide Public Opinion Survey from last year, almost 74% of drivers who participated in the survey reported that distracted driving due to cellphone use is their biggest safety concern when on the road. In 2022, almost 148 people lost their lives due to accidents in which distracted driving was a contributing factor. However, this number is believed to be underestimating the reality of the accidents, as they are not always able to identify when distracted driving is responsible.
It is important to note that distracted driving is illegal and could result in steep fines.
In addition to fines, you may be required or allowed to enroll in a traffic school in order to reduce fines. If you find yourself in that position, Rapid Traffic School is on your side to help!
However, in order to maintain distraction free, here is what you should do when driving.
- Put your phone away and keep it out of sight while driving if possible. If your phone is needed for navigation, have it safely located where you will not have to adjust it while driving.
- Set up GPS and mirrors before moving. Do “driving prep” before you start going to avoid the distraction while on the move.
- Keep both hands planted firmly on the wheel. It is essential that all driving is done with both hands on the wheel with a firm grip.
- Do not get distracted by passengers. If you find that conversation with passengers is causing you not to focus on your drive, speak up and let them know. It is best to be safe than sorry in order to avoid accidents.
- Pull over if need be. If something happens in which you may lose focus on driving or you need to pull a hand off the wheel, you should pull over to remain safe.
