A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration campaign raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving has been held in April.
The Put the Phone Away or Pay campaign educates drivers about the deadly dangers and consequences of distracted driving as part of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
NHTSA’s high-visibility enforcement of state distracted driving laws was held April 10-14 and targeted drivers aged 18 to 34 who, according to NHTSA data, are more likely to die in distraction-affected crashes than any other age group.
The Put the Phone Away or Pay campaign was supported by a $5 million national media on television, radio and digital platforms.
“We ask everyone to do their part to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their fellow Americans when driving, and that includes avoiding distractions behind the wheel,” said NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser.
“Taking your eyes and mind off the road for even a second could have devastating consequences, which is why we’re reminding everyone to Put the Phone Away or Pay.”
According to new NHTSA data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and Crash Reporting Sampling System, in 2023, an estimated 324,819 people were injured and 3,275 were killed in distracted-driving-related crashes, accounting for 13% of all crashes. An additional 611 pedestrian fatalities can be attributed to distracted driving.
