AAA campaign focuses on Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Drivers talking on a cellphone are up to four times as likely to crash compared to other drivers, while those who text while driving being up to eight times as likely to be involved in a crash, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. AAA East Central, located in Pittsburgh, is promoting its “Don’t Drive Intoxicated. Don’t Drive Intexticated” campaign against distracted driving.

Here is a by-the-numbers look at distracted driving:

3,000

Number of U.S. deaths due to distracted driving in 2017

$50

Minimum fine in Pennsylvania for texting while driving

49%

Percentage of U.S. drivers who report recently talking on a hand-held phone while driving

35%

Percentage of drivers who have sent a text or email while driving

9

Average number of Americans killed daily from distracted driving

1,000

Average number of Americans injured daily from distracted driving

5 seconds

Of reading an email is like driving the entire length of a football field blindfolded

2 seconds

Of not looking at the road doubles one’s chances of being involved in a crash

5%

Percentage decrease in the number of distracted-driving citations in Pennsylvania from 2017 to 2018

118%

Percentage increase in the number of distracted-driving citations over the last five years

Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety; Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts