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Distracted Driving

About

Distracted driving prevention messaging is essential to any road safety communication plan. 

We offer communication resources, in English and Spanish, for year-round social norming messaging and messaging to be used during an enforcement period. While both enforcement and social norming campaigns urge drivers to focus on the road while behind the wheel, it's important to understand the differences - and use the right communication material at the right time.

Campaigns

Social Norming

Don't Drive Distracted. Eyes Forward.

This campaign runs year-round, when high-visibility enforcement is not taking place, and focuses on social norming as a way of encouraging drivers to focus on the road, and not drive distracted.

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Enforcement

Put the Phone Away or Pay

This high-visibility enforcement campaign runs during a specific time of the year. Messaging should include the consequences of distracted driving and be supported by increased law enforcement.

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Special Activations Within the Next 90 days

Facts

Distracted driving facts, stats and reports from NHTSA's National Center for Statistics and Analysis

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  • In 2022 there were 3,308 people killed and an estimated additional 289,310 people injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers.
  • Five percent of all drivers involved in fatal traffic crashes in 2022 were reported as distracted at the time of the crashes. Six percent of drivers 15 to 20 years old, 21 to 24 years old, 25 to 34 years old, and 75+ years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted. Each of these age groups have the larger proportions of drivers who were distracted at the time of the fatal crashes.
  • In 2022 there were 621 nonoccupants (pedestrians, pedalcyclists, and others) killed in distraction-affected traffic crashes.
     

Graphics

State Bans PDF | 2 Maps | Texting & Handheld Bans

Additional Resources