Mother turns tragedy into mission during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

JACKSON, Tenn. — April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and one parent is spreading awareness to help prevent tragedies.

Look around, how many drivers near you are really paying attention? Distracted driving continues to be a major killer on roadways and highways.

Something harmless like adjusting the GPS, eating or drinking can take a life in a split second.

One parent knows firsthand the dangers of distracted driving.

“In 2019, very tragically, I lost my only son Conner in a single car crash,” said Tammy McGee, founder of Gweedo Memorial Foundation.

Since then, McGee has joined the fight in preventing tragedies like these by informing parents of the reality.

“I never thought it was going to happen to me. My son never thought it would happen to him. He had his whole life ahead of him, and in one instance, a choice that someone makes behind the wheel can end everything, and it doesn’t have to be that way,” said McGee.

In Madison County alone last year, 485 teen drivers were involved in a crash. Experts say now is more important than ever for parents to intervene to keep their kids safe.

“We just need for you to sit down at that breakfast table, at the dinner table, and have that difficult conversation,” said McGee.

According to the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, in 2025, nearly 1 in 12 crashes in Madison County involved distracted driving.

Think about the cars around you at a stoplight, statistically, at least one of them may be distracted.

“Another prime example of distracted driving. Your foot on that gas pedal is dangerous, and it kills,” said McGee.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration encourages you to take the pledge and fight to end distracted driving.

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