By Scottsbluff Police Department
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calls on drivers to take a proactive role in road safety by following and spreading this message: Eyes Forward. Don’t Drive Distracted. While this message is important year-round, April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and a good time to remind people of the importance.
“Cell phone use and any activity that takes the driver’s attention away from safe driving are distracted driving behaviors,” said Sgt. Phil Eckerberg. “Distracted driving endangers everyone on the road including other drivers, passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists,” he said.
According to NHTSA, 16,482 people died and about 1.6 million people were injured in distraction-affected crashes from 2020 to 2024. In 2024 alone, there were 3,208 people killed in traffic crashes involving at least one distracted driver, accounting for eight percent of all traffic fatalities that year. An estimated additional 315,167 people were injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers in 2024.
Safe driving requires focused attention. Adopting these phone-free driving habits is key to creating a safe driving environment for everyone on the road:
- Pull over and park in a safe location before using the phone to send or read a text message.
-Ask a passenger to be the “designated texter” and allow them to manage calls and messages during the drive.
-Avoid social media scrolling and any form of messaging while behind the wheel.
-Use “Do Not Disturb” mode to silence notifications.
-Drivers can put their phone in the trunk, glove box or back seat of the vehicle to break the habit of driving distracted.
Cell phone use while driving is dangerous. Phone-free driving and keeping hands on the wheel is committing to keeping all eyes on the road and focusing on driving. Remember: Eyes Forward. Don’t Drive Distracted.
For more information on distracted driving, visit NHTSA.gov/DistractedDriving.