Louisiana’s Distracted Driving Month targets deadly crashes

LOUISIANA (WNTZ) – Distracted driving crashes in Louisiana result in deaths, injuries, and increased insurance rates, state leaders and advocates said Thursday during a press conference aimed at raising awareness of the issue.

Louisiana Highway Safety Commission (LHSC) Executive Director Lisa Freeman hosted the event, which featured Commissioner of Insurance Tim Temple, State Police Superintendent Col. Robert Hodges, Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Secretary Joe Donahue, and StopDistractions.org CEO Jennifer Smith.

Gov. Jeff Landry has proclaimed April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month in Louisiana.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving includes any activity that diverts attention from driving, such as using a cell phone, talking to passengers, eating or drinking, and adjusting music or navigation settings.

Freeman emphasized the collective effort required to eliminate distracted driving. “If you want to win the game, keep your eye on the ball. If you want to make it to the game, keep your eye on the road,” she said.

Distracted driving is often underreported, as it can be difficult to determine when a driver was distracted before a crash. However, widespread cell phone use is believed to be a major contributing factor.

Commissioner Temple highlighted the financial impact of distracted driving on Louisiana drivers. “One reason auto insurance rates are high in Louisiana is too many people use their cell phones while driving, leading to destructive crashes,” he said. “My message is clear: Don’t use mobile phones or other electronic devices while driving.”

Col. Hodges warned of the dangers distracted drivers face. “They are depriving themselves of crucial seconds that could mean the difference between life and death,” he said. “I urge you to make a commitment to yourself and your loved ones that you will not drive distracted. I have personally witnessed the tragic outcomes of distracted driving throughout my career, and our troopers witness it far too often across the state. LSP remains committed to keeping our roadways safe for Louisiana residents and visitors, but we cannot do it without your help.”

DOTD Secretary Donahue underscored the deadly consequences of distracted driving, noting that preliminary data from 2024 shows distracted driving crashes led to 178 fatalities and 1,295 serious injuries in Louisiana. “These statistics reflect not just numbers, but lives lost, families shattered, and communities impacted,” Donahue said. “These crashes are preventable when drivers pay attention to the roadway.”

Jennifer Smith, CEO of StopDistractions.org, has dedicated her life to raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving after losing her mother in a 2008 crash caused by a distracted driver. “Every day, and every year that we fail to act on the proven solutions to reduce distracted driving, we let down the families of our friends and neighbors,” Smith said. “Lives are being shattered, not just lost, by crashes that we know how to prevent. Families are burying their children, their parents, their spouses because we aren’t using the tools we already have. That’s the part that breaks my heart the most. These crashes are destroying entire families, and they’re completely preventable.”

For more information on distracted driving awareness and prevention efforts, visit www.lhsc.org.