Kansas Department of Transportation
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Kansas Department of Transportation reminds drivers to stay focused, ditch the distractions and just drive.
Distractions come in many forms. Visual distractions take the driver’s eyes off the road, cognitive distractions take the driver’s mind off driving, and manual distractions take driver’s hands off the wheel.
Distracted driving can be dangerous. Preliminary 2024 Kansas data shows 70 people were killed, and more than 350 people were injured in crashes involving distracted driving.
“Distractions affect your ability to focus on driving,” KDOT Behavioral Safety Manager Gary Herman said. “Activities such as eating, applying makeup, reaching for objects, looking at scenery, daydreaming and, quite often, texting take your attention off the road and put the lives of other motorists, your passengers and you at risk for injury or death.”
Drivers are encouraged to develop safe driving habits and always:
• Put the phone away and out of reach.
• Activate the phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature.
• Have passengers handle navigation, texting or phone calls.
• Do not text or call someone you know is driving. It can wait.
Passengers are encouraged to speak up if the driver is not paying attention and to avoid riding with that driver in the future. It is important everyone taxes charge of their safety whenever possible, Herman said.
