14-04-2025
Franklin County Sheriff warns about the dangers of distracted driving
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) – The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is advising residents and drivers that April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
It is important to remember that distracted driving not only puts you at risk but also the other motorists on the road.
Looking at your phone means you take your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel. According to the NHTSA, 15,960 people died, and around 1.8 million people have been injured in distraction-affected crashes over the five years from 2018 to 2022.
A total of 3,308 people were killed due to at least one distracted driver in 2022, which was 8% of traffic fatalities that year.
'Put the Phone Away or Pay': New campaign warns against distracted driving
Consider the following steps for a safer drive:
If a text message is expected or needs to be sent and can't wait, the driver should pull over and park their car in a safe location before using the phone.
Ask a passenger to be the 'designated texter,' and give them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.
Listen to your passengers: If they see you texting while driving and tell you to put your phone away, put it down.
Cell phone use is habit-forming. If struggling to not text and drive, drivers can activate their phone's 'Do Not Disturb' feature, silence notifications, or put their phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of the vehicle until they arrive to their destination.
The Sheriff's Office reminds drivers to stay focused and to stay safe.
For more information, visit Put the Phone Away or Pay | Distracted Driving | NHTSA.
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