Stay Focused: Avoid Distracted Driving

Distracted Driving Awareness Month is a national safety observance held every April to raise awareness about distraction-related crashes and promote safer driving habits. This is especially important, as distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents and injuries on the road, accounting for 8% of all fatal crashes in the U.S.

As an employer, it’s crucial that you take steps to promote safe driving practices among your employees.

Here’s what you can expect throughout the month of April:

What Is Distracted Driving Awareness Month?

April marks Distracted Driving Awaren e ss Month, a nationwide initiative led by the National Safety Council (NSC) and supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to reduce distraction-affected traffic crashes and promote safer roadways. The campaign highlights how even a few seconds of inattention — such as looking at a phone, eating or adjusting controls — can have devastating consequences.

Each April, NHTSA also holds the “Put the Phone Away or Pay” campaign from April 10 through 14. The campaign reminds drivers of the deadly and legal consequences of texting and driving.

But when it comes to your employees, how can you remind them of the significance of this issue and what they can do to prevent it? Read on to learn more.

The Dangerous Impact of Distracted Driving

The consequences of distracted driving can be severe and long-lasting. Motor vehicle crashes can be life-threatening and traumatic for everyone involved, whether there is a personal injury. Of course, the most significant risk of a collision is that it can result in serious injuries, disabilities or even fatalities. In fact, according to the latest data from an NSC analysis of NHTSA data, 3,275 preventable deaths occurred due to driver distraction in 2023.

For employers, there are additional consequences to distracted driving. If one of your employees is involved in a distracted driving accident while on the job, your company could face a damaged reputation, legal liabilities and increased insurance premiums. Furthermore, if the employee is responsible for injuring others, your company may be held liable for the resulting damages.

5 Tips for Staying Focused on the Road

Without further ado, here are some tips you can share with your employees through posters, videos or discussions about how to stay focused while driving:

1. Turn Off Your Cell Phone

Over 30 states have completely banned handheld cell phone use while driving, but if you’re in a state that doesn’t have this law, it’s still best to make it clear to employees that the use of cell phones while driving is prohibited. Even hands-free calls can cause cognitive distractions that take your attention off the road.

Encourage employees to silence or store their phones before driving and to use auto-reply features that notify others they’re unavailable while behind the wheel. Remember: No message is worth risking a distracted driving accident.

2. Plan Your Route Before Leaving

Review directions and set your GPS before starting the vehicle. Entering addresses or adjusting settings mid-drive causes manual distractions that increase the risk of traffic crashes. If unexpected detours occur, pull into a safe location before re-routing or checking navigation apps.

3. Minimize Other Distractions in the Car

Beyond cell phones, other risky behaviors can divert attention, such as eating, drinking or changing playlists. Remind employees to focus solely on driving, keeping both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Limiting noise and maintaining a clutter-free vehicle also helps reduce potential distractions.

4. Take Breaks if Necessary

Fatigue and stress can significantly impair attention and reaction time. Encourage drivers to rest if they feel tired, anxious or overwhelmed. A short break at a rest stop can restore focus and prevent serious motor vehicle crashes.

5. Encourage Passengers To Help

Passengers should not distract the driver, and they should be ready to take over in an emergency. They can also handle calls, adjust navigation or respond to messages, allowing the driver to stay alert. Remind passengers never to distract the driver and to speak up if they notice risky behaviors or lapses in attention.

5 Tips for Reinforcing Safe Driving Habits

As you’re aware, distracted driving is a major issue across the country. The statistics are concerning, but it’s not too late to make a difference. By raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving and promoting safe driving habits, employers can help prevent needless injuries and deaths on our roads.

During Distracted Driving Awareness Month and throughout the year, it’s important to:

Support campaigns that promote road safety: Put up posters in your workplace, hold an event to raise awareness or provide employees with literature about the dangers of distracted driving. In addition, research local initiatives to see what’s going on in your area and motivate workers to get involved.

Discuss distracted driving in the workplace: Host a meeting to discuss the topic and share thoughts, ideas and suggestions for how your organization can help combat this issue. Not only does this foster a culture of safety and awareness, but it also gives workers an opportunity to take ownership of the problem and get involved in solutions.

Encourage others to share testimonies: Everyone knows distracted driving is dangerous, but sometimes it’s hard to fully grasp how much of an impact this behavior has on the lives of others. If you learn about an employee who has had first-hand experience dealing with the consequences of distracted driving, ask if they feel comfortable sharing their story so that others can understand the severity of the issue.

Set a good example: If you’re the leader of an organization, it’s important that you set a good example by minimizing and not engaging in potential visual distractions yourself. Never check your phone while you’re on the road. Business can wait — it’s not worth risking lives.

Develop a distracted driving policy: If you haven’t already, work with your HR department to develop a clear, concise and consistent policy on distracted driving. This will help reinforce the message that distracted driving is not only dangerous but also unacceptable in the workplace.

Distracted Driving Awareness Month FAQs

When Is Distracted Driving Awareness Month?

Distracted Driving Awareness Month is observed each April to promote traffic safety and raise awareness about the dangers of distraction behind the wheel. Employers can use this time to reinforce safe driving practices and highlight resources from the National Safety Council and Governors Highway Safety Association.

What Are Common Causes of Distracted Driving?

The most common causes of distracted driving include cell phone use, eating or drinking, adjusting in-vehicle systems and talking to passengers. These can create visual, manual and cognitive distractions — all of which increase the risk of a motor vehicle accident.

What Counts as Distracted Driving?

Any activity that diverts a driver’s attention away from safely operating the vehicle counts as distracted driving. This includes texting, using navigation apps, grooming or reaching for objects. Even momentary distractions can lead to distraction-affected traffic crashes with serious or fatal outcomes.

What Are the Legal Consequences of Distracted Driving?

Over 30 states now have laws prohibiting texting and handheld phone use while driving, with penalties ranging from fines to license suspension. In a distracted driving crash, a driver may also face civil or criminal liability if their actions cause injury or death — not to mention potential auto insurance rate increases.

Stay Informed to Stay Safe: Here’s How FFVA Mutual Can Help

Ultimately, your employees are responsible for their own safety on the road. But by providing the necessary information, training and resources, you can minimize the chances of an accident and keep your drivers safe.

At FFVA Mutual, we’re committed to helping raise awareness and mitigate this critical issue, not only during Distracted Driving Awareness Month but all year round. By working together, we can keep our roads safer for everyone.

Remember, it only takes a moment of distraction to cause a serious accident. Check out some of our available resources below to stay informed and educated on the topic of distracted driving:

View this distracted driving policy blog to learn ways on to implement and enforce an effective policy in your workplace.

And of course, if you need any additional support or guidance, get in touch with our team of Safety Solutionists or contact us for more information.

10 Tips for Distracted Driving Awareness Month