Commissioner Causey Urges Citizens to Avoid Distracted Driving…April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

RALEIGH, NC (April 12, 2017)…Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey today joined the National Safety Council in urging North Carolinians to concentrate on the road and avoid distractions while behind the wheel. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

“Driving has always been dangerous, but now more than ever, we need to concentrate on the road,” said Causey. “The safety of every North Carolinian is my top priority and I urge everyone to put down your phone and concentrate on driving your vehicle.”

Distracted driving accounts for nine deaths every day nationally – deaths that are completely preventable simply by keeping your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel and your mind on driving. Last year in North Carolina, 177 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver. Additionally, an estimated 26,962 were injured.

Below are tips to help curtail distractions before they happen:

• Do not use your cell phone while driving
• Let calls go to voicemail or let a passenger talk for you
• Select music before you start driving
• Refrain from eating, drinking and smoking
• Make sure your passengers and pets are properly restrained
• Know your route
• Manage passenger conversation

Source: http://www.aarp.org/ws/EO/driver-safety-programs.html

For more information about distracted driving, please visit www.distraction.gov.