Kentucky officials talk importance of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and it's a good reminder for drivers to avoid all types of distractions while behind the wheel.
Leaders with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) cite cell phone use, specifically texting, talking, and scrolling through social media, as the most common offense.
Data from NHTSA shows that more than 3,275 people were killed by distracted driving in 2023, and that number is likely even higher, given that investigators can't always attach a specific cause to accidents.
Director of the Office of Impaired Driving and Occupant Protection at NHTSA, Jane Terry, said that a few years ago, they estimated that as many as 10,000 lives are lost to distracted driving each year. Terry hopes people will use this month to recommit to their safety and the safety of others.
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'We often think about the roads, and that time on the roads is as thinking about our trip only. But we know that we're operating around so many other people, including pedestrians, children, lots of people who could be seriously hurt and injured if a crash were to happen, Terry said. 'We know that taking your eyes off the road for any amount of time when you're behind the wheel can be especially dangerous. So, we really want to take time this month to focus on the drive.'
Safety officials say distracted driving crashes are 100% preventable as long as you stay focused and stay alert.In the four years from 2019 to 2023, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said nearly 800 people died and another 4,400 were seriously hurt as a result of people taking their eyes off the road.
Leaders with the Office of Highway Safety said this month just reflects why they need to take action and remind people just how important it is to stay focused and stay alert. They are asking everyone to please put your phone down or pull over if you have to use it, don't be a distraction as a passenger, and always be aware of your surroundings.
Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news
'It gives us the opportunity to shine a light on this emphasis area, and every state is doing this in April,' said Bill Bell, executive director for the Office of Highway Safety. 'Chances are someone is distracted, and we've all seen it where if someone is slowing down, they're running on the sidelines of the yellow line or the white line, and when you go to pass them, they have their phone in their hand.'
Officials with the NHTSA encourage all motorists to eliminate distracted driving, not only during distracted driving month, but all year long. They add that the fight to end distracted driving starts with you.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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