April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Did you know April is “Distracted Driving Awareness” Month?

According to the NHTSA, over 300,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2023. And it’s no surprise when you consider the facts - sending or reading a text takes, on average, 5 seconds, or to put it another way, the entire length of a football when driving at 55 mph.

At Coastline, our goal is to eliminate car crashes by training safe and confident drivers for life. By committing to avoid distracted driving, you and your teen will be a part of our mission to keep our roads and drivers safe.

Here are a few tips to avoid being a distracted driver:

Put your phone away

That text or call can wait, we promise. If it’s an urgent matter, pull over to the side of the road before pulling out your phone.

No hands-free devices for teens

New drivers need to use more of their attention when behind the wheel. Because of this, they should not be engaging in other activities while driving, including conversations on the phone, even if it is in hands-free mode. Most states prohibit teens from using any hands-free devices while driving. Your teen should put their phone in a safe place where they will not be distracted by notifications or other sounds while they are driving.

Save difficult conversations for home

Phones and other technology aren't the only distractions behind the wheel. Difficult conversations or arguments can heighten emotions, which can take the driver’s attention away from the road. If you feel tensions rising in the car, pull over or wait until you are home to hash things out.

Keep your hands on the wheel

Handling any object while you are driving, including your phone, can be a dangerous distraction. Avoid eating and drinking while behind the wheel (especially new drivers) and take care of your grooming routine at home or at work.

In addition to avoiding being a distracted driver, you should also know the signs of a distracted driver. Remember, if you encounter a driver behaving erratically or otherwise driving in a dangerous fashion, give them a wide berth and avoid any on-road interactions.

• Erratic braking or otherwise braking where it is not appropriate
• Swerving over lanes or into the shoulder of the road
• Driving at irregular speeds
• Hard stops at red lights or stop signs

Want to learn more about avoiding distracted driving and safe driving practices? Sign up for driver’s ed or your first behind-the-wheel lesson with Coastline. Book online or contact us via phone or text at 1-800-489-1896.

Safe driving!

Paige