RICHMOND—From texts to touchscreens, everyday distractions remain a leading factor in vehicle crashes, where a brief glance away from the road can prove costly.
April marks Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a nationwide effort urging motorists to reduce risky behaviors and commit to safer driving. Throughout the month, traffic safety officials are emphasizing that even a split second of inattention can have devastating and lasting consequences.
Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, like texting, talking on the phone, eating, applying makeup, interacting with passengers, and using vehicles’ navigation or infotainment systems.
“We’d like drivers to use this month as an opportunity to identify their bad driving habits and correct them,” said Rich Jacobs, senior communications manager for Drive Smart Virginia, of which Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. is a founding member.
Nationwide, 3,275 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2023. In Virginia, the Department of Motor Vehicles reported 20,758 distracted driving crashes in 2024, including 11,256 injuries and 90 fatalities.
The most common causes of distraction-related crashes in Virginia include taking eyes off the road, cellphones and texting, and “rubbernecking” or looking at roadside incidents.
While Virginia law prohibits holding a cellphone while driving, the problem persists. VDOT reported cellphone-related distractions increased 3% from 2023 to 2024—underscoring the prevalence of device use behind the wheel.
Safety advocates say common misconceptions also contribute to the problem.
“Multitasking is the biggest myth,” Jacobs noted. “Driving requires your full attention.”
Many believe they’re adept at multitasking, but research shows that brains can’t handle multiple attention-demanding tasks simultaneously. Instead, brains switch between one and the other, reducing focus and slowing reaction times.
And although smartphones and vehicles are equipped with hands-free technology, that carries risks too. Studies from the University of Utah found it can take drivers up to 27 seconds to fully refocus after using voice commands.
Another common belief is that distracted driving is primarily an issue among younger drivers. According to AAA, experienced and older drivers are more prone to distraction from vehicles’ infotainment systems—taking longer to navigate and complete tasks, and responding slower to driving events.
Officials recommend taking simple steps to reduce distracted driving, such as using smartphones’ Do Not Disturb feature, setting navigation and music before driving, and only responding to calls or messages after safely pulling over—not at a stoplight.
Parents and adults also should model good driving habits for younger drivers, who often mirror what they see.
“Put the phone away and wear your seatbelt,” Jacobs added. “A seatbelt is your best defense against a distracted driver.”
Media: Contact Jacobs at 804-929-2988.
