Spring is in the air, the days are getting longer, and road trips are back on the calendar. But before you hit the gas, it’s worth remembering that April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a national effort to remind drivers that distractions behind the wheel can lead to real, and sometimes tragic, consequences.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed over 3,300 lives in 2022. That’s nearly ten people each day—mothers, fathers, teenagers, co-workers—gone in a moment because someone couldn’t wait to check a text, finish a call, or adjust the navigation system.
This month offers all of us a chance to slow down and examine how we drive. Are we focused? Alert? Fully present? Or are we too comfortable, too distracted, too confident in our ability to multitask?
The road deserves our full attention. And for those who need a little guidance on how to become safer, more mindful drivers, DriveSafe Online offers a solution that’s practical, engaging, and proven to make a difference.
What Counts as Distracted Driving?
Most people hear “distracted driving” and think of texting. That’s definitely one of the worst offenders. But distractions come in many forms. They’re not just digital—they’re physical, mental, and sometimes emotional.
Looking at your phone or GPS, eating lunch while driving, reaching for something that fell on the floor, adjusting the radio, or even just spacing out during your morning commute—all these actions count as distractions.
The NHTSA breaks distracted driving into three main categories:
- Visual: Taking your eyes off the road (checking a text, turning to talk to a passenger).
- Manual: Taking your hands off the wheel (eating, adjusting the stereo).
- Cognitive: Taking your mind off driving (daydreaming, thinking about work). Learn about inattentional blindness.
Distractions are dangerous. A distraction might only take a second, but on the highway, that second can be the difference between a near miss and a major accident.
Why April Matters
Distracted Driving Awareness Month is a time to reset our habits and recommit to safer driving. It’s about recognizing our own risky behavior and encouraging friends, family, and co-workers to do the same.
It’s also a chance for organizations to step up. Employers who manage fleets or have employees on the road regularly are encouraged to review their policies and provide safety training. Distracted driving is a top 10 concern for managers about employee drivers. Find out what other concerns made the list.
But no matter who you are or how
Patrick M. is Editorial Director for the always expanding DriveSafe Online library of courses. With over two decades of experience developing award-winning training, he now focuses on innovating online driver safety training. Pulling from his background in journalism, he steers the wheel behind the creation of top-tier content that promotes a better journey—whether on the digital highway of learning or the real roads we travel every day.