Virginia Schedules Distracted Driving Awareness Day

Are you paying attention to the road the entire time you’re behind the wheel? Many drivers may not realize it, but they are the target of a campaign by Virginia lawmakers and safety advocates to raise awareness about distracted driving.

Distracted driving is a widespread problem, with studies from Virginia Tech showing that nearly 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involve distracted drivers. As a result of this study and an increasing awareness of the role that distracted drivers play in serious auto accidents, Governor Tim Kaine named April 29, 2009 Distracted Driving Awareness Day in Virginia.

There are a wide variety of behaviors that experts categorize as distracting while behind the wheel. They include eating, sending text messages, reading text messages, talking on a cell-phone, applying makeup, reaching for items in the car, and much more.

The problem is that many people feel so comfortable behind the wheel that they allow their attention to wander. Any time that a driver removes his or her attention from the road, the result is distracted driving. Given this strict definition, nearly every motorist is guilty of driving distracted at some point.

Distracted Driving Awareness Day hopes to highlight the importance of focusing on the road instead of on phones, music players, snacks, or any other of the many distractions in a vehicle.

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