There may only be a handful of stop lights in Door County, but think about the last time you were stopped at a red light. Of all the drivers stopped at the light, how many were using their cell phones?

Even though texting while driving is outlawed in Wisconsin, phones still pose a significant distraction behind the wheel.

In 2022, over 3,300 people lost their lives due to distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In Wisconsin alone, the Department of Transportation reports that over 9,000 crashes were caused by distracted drivers in 2023. These crashes resulted in 3,586 injuries and 23 deaths.

Distracted driving goes beyond the cell phone. Anything that takes your vision off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your mind off the task of safe driving is a distraction. Eating, changing music, and using GPS devices are all common causes. Yet, texting and cell phone use remain the most common culprits.

Teens and young adults are the group most affected by the dangers of texting and driving. Not only are young drivers more likely to be active on their cell phones, but they are also less experienced behind the wheel, creating a potentially deadly combination. With many schools celebrating Prom in the coming weeks, the roadways will be filled with teen drivers.

To combat the temptation to text and drive, April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The NHTSA recommends leaving your phone out of reach while you drive, such as in the glovebox or the backseat. Other preventative measures against distracted driving include putting your phone on “Do Not Disturb” mode, asking a passenger to read and respond to texts for you, and pulling over if you need to perform a task, like adjusting the GPS. Keep yourself and other drivers safe. Keep your hands on the wheel this April and beyond.

Picture courtesy of Pixabay and ClickerHappy