WHAT IS DISTRACTED DRIVING? IF SOMETHING REQUIRES YOUR HANDS, EYES, OR YOUR ATTENTION WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING, IT’S A DISTRACTION. THIS COULD MEAN TEXTING, TALKING ON THE PHONE (EVEN HANDS-FREE), USING SOCIAL MEDIA, OR CHECKING EMAILS ON YOUR PHONE. IT CAN ALSO INCLUDE PASSENGERS AND PETS INSIDE THE VEHICLE, USING YOUR VEHICLE’S TOUCHSCREEN OR ADJUSTING YOUR MUSIC OR GPS. 

THESE HABITS MAY BE COMMON, BUT THEY’RE STILL DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS FOR YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD.

APRIL IS DESIGNATED AS DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH BY THE NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL. IN 2021, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, 3, 522 PEOPLE WERE KILLED BY DISTRACTED DRIVING IN THE US. 

THE PRESCOTT VALLEY POLICE DEPARTMENT REMINDS YOU THAT WHEN YOU’RE BEHIND THE WHEEL, YOUR ONLY JOB IS TO DRIVE SAFELY. IF YOU SEE ERRATIC OR CARELESS DRIVING, IMMEDIATELY CONTACT YOUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.