April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Driver distraction is a major contributing factor in many fatal crashes. In Louisiana, in 2023, 811 total people were killed in crashes and 178 people (22%) were killed because of inattention or a distraction. The total number of serious injuries from a crash in Louisiana, in 2023, is 3,625, and the serious injuries due to distracted or inattentive driving is 1,149 (32%). However, the number of distracted driving crashes is often underreported. Many involve the use of a cell phone or other handheld device.

Although cell phone use and texting are two of the most common distractions, any activity that takes a driver's mind off of the task of driving, hands off of the steering wheel, or eyes off of the road is considered a distraction. Many states and local jurisdictions are passing laws that prohibit these behaviors.

Louisiana has enacted legislation that bans texting for all drivers, hands-free usage in school zones, and no cell phone usage (unless hands-free) for drivers holding a Class "E" learner's license or intermediate license. A study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows that 6 out of 10 teen crashes involve driver distraction and more than half of teen drivers reported using a cell phone while driving and more than 1 in 4 reported typing or sending a text message while driving in the past 30 days.