In 2014, 3,179 people were killed and an additional 431,000 were injured in collisions involving distracted drivers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
“Scrolling through song lists on a cell phone, or texting while driving is not just irresponsible, it can have tragic consequences. We’re calling on drivers to put down their devices and help keep the roadways safe for all Americans,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.
A national advertising campaign and law enforcement crackdown called U Drive. U Text. U Pay., which includes television, radio and digital advertisements, runs from April 8 to April 13.
The Department of Transportation notes at any given moment in 2014, during daylight hours, more than 587,000 vehicles were being driven by someone using a hand-held cell phone.
For more information on Distracted Driving Awareness Month and to read the entire National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s press release, follow this link: http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/nhtsa-and-partners-fight-distracted-driving-04052016