Distracted driving causes 10,000 deaths annually, advocates urge awareness

JACKSON, Tenn. — According to stopdistractions.org, 34 people are killed a day because a driver looked away from the road. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

“Everything changed about our lives and it doesn’t leave you. It stays with you everyday and it’s something you think about,” said Jennifer Smith, co-founder of stopdistractions.org.

Smith knows that pain firsthand. In 2008, her mother was killed by a driver who was distracted and that moment of inattention cost a family everything.

About 29% of auto crashes involve distraction and according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, distracted driving causes 10,000 deaths and 1.3 million injuries annually.

According to State Farm, to prevent distracted driving avoid getting on your phone until you get to your destination. Also avoid eating, or drinking, applying your make-up, and don’t try to let your focus drift to things such as billboards.

“Set the example. If you are in the car with someone, speak up. Remind people when they are leaving to drive safe. We want you to get home,” said Smith.

This may be Distracted Driving Awareness Month and Smith says all it takes to prevent a crash is to put your phone away and be aware of other drivers around you.

To prevent your self from being involved in a distracted driving crash, you can also turn your phone on “Do not disturb” or silent to prevent being distracted from notifications.

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