Governor's Highway Safety Program encourages drivers to drive safely during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — The Governor's Highway Safety Program reminded the public to drive safely during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
According to a press release, the Governor's Highway Safety Program (GHSP) teamed up with the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reminded drivers to drive safely.
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The public was encouraged to follow the message 'Don't Drive Distracted. Eyes Forward' and avoid distractions when driving, which can include using cell phones or anything that pulls a person's attention away from driving, as well as focusing on safety while on the road. Distracted driving can pose a risk to everyone on the road, such as the driver and other drivers on the road, pedestrians, bicyclists, and passengers.
The bottom line is distracted driving can be prevented. Drivers can prioritize safe driving by keeping their hands on the wheel, their eyes on the road, and their focus on driving.
Jack McNeely | Director of the Governor's Highway Safety Program
According to the press release, 1,860 distracted driving accidents were reported in West Virginia in 2022, which included 835 injuries and four deaths. The press release stated that according to the NHTSA, approximately 1.8 million people were injured and 15,960 fatalities occurred in distracted driving accidents from 2018 to 2022.
3,308 deaths occurred in 2022 due to accidents that involved at least one distracted driver, making up eight percent of the year's traffic fatalities. In 2022, approximately 289,310 people were injured in traffic accidents where distracted drivers were involved.
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The press release stated that tips people can use to drive safely include:
If people are expecting a text message, or a text message needs to be sent immediately, drivers are advised to pull over and find a safe place to park before using their phone.
Have a passenger be the 'designated texter,' and allow them to access your phone to respond to any calls or text messages.
Do not look through social media or send messages while driving.
Listen to your passengers if they ask the driver to put the phone down if they see it being used.
People can also turn on their phone's 'Do Not Disturb' feature, silence notifications, or put their phone away until they arrive at their destination.
Additional information can be found on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website, and information about the West Virginia Governor's Highway Safety Program can be found on their website or by calling 304-926-2509.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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