Distracted Driving Awareness Month with AAA

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

“We lose over 3,000 lives on our roadways every year due to distracted driving. That’s nine fatalities a day and that needs to end,” said Jana Tidwell with AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Cellphones account for 12% of distracted driving incidents, but other distractions include following a GPS, changing the radio or eating.

Pennsylvania will enact a new hands-free law on June 5th.

“Meaning you cannot have the phone in your hand, be programming the phone, making a call, doing anything with the phone in your hand in Pennsylvania. It will be a primary offense,” said Jana.

Ways to stay engaged while on the roadways include:

• Putting your phone away in a bag or center console
• Planning your route before heading out
• Asking passengers for help
• Not being a distraction as a passenger

For more resources, visit AAA’s website here.