City of Statesville offers tips this Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April Is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Over the past decade, distracted driving has emerged as a pervasive threat on our roads, posing a danger not only to the distracted drivers themselves, but also to their passengers, pedestrians, and other road users. When we're behind the wheel, our sole focus should be on safe driving. Any time we divert our attention from the task of driving, we are putting ourselves and others at risk.

Distracted driving can take many forms, including adjusting the radio or GPS, applying makeup, and eating or drinking. However, it is cell phone use, particularly texting, talking, and social media engagement, that has become the most prevalent and dangerous form of distraction. Texting, in particular, is considered the most hazardous type of distracted driving as it involves visual, manual, and cognitive distractions all at once. By driving distracted, you are stealing precious seconds that could be the difference between avoiding a close call or a catastrophic crash.

Regroup and Prioritize Safe Driving

It's time to drive responsibly and take ownership of our actions on the road. In 2021 alone, distracted driving claimed the lives of 3,522 and approximately 362,415 injuries. As we observe National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April, let's regroup and prioritize safe driving with these essential tips:

• Pull over and park in a safe location if you need to send a text or make a call.

• Designate a passenger as your "designated texter" to handle calls or messages.

• Avoid scrolling through apps while driving. If you struggle with the temptation to text and drive, stow your cell phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat until you reach your destination.

The consequences of distracted driving can be severe. It's crucial to take action and spread the message to friends and family. When you're behind the wheel, driving should be your sole focus, no distractions allowed. If you notice your driver texting or being otherwise distracted, speak up and ask them to stop and concentrate on the road. Encourage your friends to join you in taking a pledge to not drive distracted and share it on social media with the hashtag #JustDrive. Together, we can save lives and make our roads safer for everyone.

About City Of Statesville:

The City of Statesville is truly a diverse community that welcomes new people, new voices and ideas, new industry, and business. We have already made significant investments in our downtown amenities, our business sector, our schools, our infrastructure, and more is on the horizon. We are creating a dynamic future for ourselves as we build on our successful history and the positive energy we experience today, all the while incorporating the values and quality of life that we cherish. To learn more visit www.statesvillenc.net.