April is Distracted Driving Month in Virginia.
Last year in Virginia, 94 fatalities were the result of distraction-related traffic crashes. Educating drivers about the dangers of using a handheld communications device while operating a motor vehicle is essential to reducing distraction-related fatalities and injuries.
The only acceptable number of distraction-related fatalities is zero.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines distracted driving as “any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone.” The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) says that using a phone while driving – particularly calling and texting – is one of the most common driver distractions.
It is illegal to operate a moving motor vehicle on the roadways of the Commonwealth of Virginia while holding a handheld communications device.
How can you protect yourself against distracted drivers?
