Distracted Driving

It’s a reflex for most of us to pick up our phones when we hear the familiar dinging sound that lets us know we have a new text to read. 

You might think it’s not that serious to look down at your phone and respond to a text while you’re driving. 

But consider this: In 2024, there were 66 fatalities attributed to distracted driving in Arizona.

That’s significant. And during Distracted Driving Awareness Month, held annually in April, it’s a good time to remind motorists of the danger of distracted driving.  

That tell-tale ding and buzz of your phone catches your attention.  

It’ll just take a few seconds to read and send a reply, you might think as you’re driving. Or perhaps you’re running late to an appointment and so you’re scarfing down a cold sandwich while trying to steer with one hand. You’ve done it before and nothing bad happened. 

But consider this: In 2022 in Arizona, there were 57 fatalities in crashes attributed to distracted driving. 

That’s not an insignificant number. And these deaths were preventable. 

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and it’s a great time to remind everyone to not drive distracted.

During National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, consider what's really worth paying attention to while driving.

When traveling during the holiday season, spread some Christmas cheer by not driving distracted. Make use of the rest areas when nature calls, but also for making phone calls or sending texts while you’re safely off the road and not driving. 

PHOENIX – With many traveling to see family and friends this holiday season, plus the potential for snow up north attracting day-trippers, the Arizona Department of Transportation wants to remind drivers not to drive distracted.

If you’re traveling alone, drivers are urged to use phones to call or text at one of the state’s 15 rest areas. Once in a rest area, you can safely devote your attention to your device to make a call or send or respond to texts.

There's been a lot of focus on distracted drivers the past few weeks, so ADOT Director John Halikowski shares what the "buzz" is all about.

It's April Fools Day, but we don't want you to be a fool on the road. Driving distracted is a leading factor in fatal crashes. 

PHOENIX – For National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April, the Arizona Department of Transportation is doing its part to create a buzz around the dangers of texting and driving.

Building on its “Distracted Drivers Terrify Me” campaign, ADOT has produced a new public service announcement. This one features a beekeeper. This is the fifth 30-second PSA in a campaign that shows Arizonans doing something most people find terrifying.

PHOENIX – Snake handlers. Rodeo bullfighters. High-rise window cleaners. Electrical line techs who rappel from helicopters. These are the stars of the Arizona Department of Transportation’s distracted driving public awareness campaign, “Distracted Drivers Terrify Me.”

This isn’t a random collection of people. No, these professionals were chosen specifically because they perform jobs that many find full of danger, like wrangling venomous snakes, one-ton charging bulls and vertigo-inducing heights. But what scares these fearless people?