Distracted driving is a national epidemic hiding in plain sight.

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including:

VISUAL DISTRACTION

Taking your eyes off the road — looking at your phone, GPS, passengers, or anything not related to driving.

A driver taking their eyes off the road, illustrating visual distraction.

MANUAL DISTRACTION

Taking your hands off the wheel — texting, eating, adjusting controls, or holding a phone.

A driver taking their hands off the wheel, illustrating manual distraction.

COGNITIVE DISTRACTION

Taking your mind off driving — daydreaming, emotional stress, using drugs or alcohol, or being deeply focused on a conversation.

A driver taking their mind off driving, illustrating cognitive distraction.

Even one of these distractions can be dangerous.
When all three happen at once, like texting while driving —

the risk becomes deadly.

2024 crashes involving distracted drivers*

3,208

Lives lost

315,000

PEOPLE INJURED

8% OF ALL FATAL CRASHES INVOLVED DISTRACTED DRIVERS

Drivers with a high level of cellphone distraction are 240% more likely to be involved in a crash

20% OF individuals killed in distraction-affected crashes are non-occupants, such as pedestrians and cyclists

Distracted driving is a national epidemic hiding in plain sight.

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including:

What you can do to make roads safer

  • If you have to text

    Pull over to a safe location and park your car.

  • Distracted driving isn’t just texting

    Scrolling through social media, adjusting music, eating and drinking while driving is distracted driving too.

  • Silence calls and notifications while driving

    Activate your phone's Driving Focus (iOS) or Do Not Disturb While Driving (Android). This keeps you safe by muting distractions and lets you set automatic replies.

  • TEENS

    If you see someone texting and driving, ask them to put their phone away. Become a safe driving ambassador and share safety messages on your social media accounts.

  • Parents

    Lead by example. Never drive distracted.

* National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2021). Traffic Safety Facts Research Note: Distracted Driving 2019 (DOT HS 813 111). Department of Transportation, Washington, DC: NHTSA. Accessed 8 February 2022.

Become a safe driving ambassador

It’s no longer enough to say “don’t text and drive.” Cell phones are not the only distraction.

We need to create a culture where distracted driving is treated with the same seriousness as impaired driving.

that starts with you

Every story shared, every conversation started, every comment posted builds momentum.

Together, we can build a generation of drivers who are fully present — and proud of it.

Join the Mitchell Sterling Foundation’s commitment to end distracted driving through awareness, advocacy, and action.

1

Become a safe driver ambassador.

By signing our petition, you're standing up for accountability, justice, and safer roads for everyone.

Your voice shows lawmakers that this issue matters — and that families deserve better.

2

Bring Safe Driving Awareness to your Community.

Starting a student organization or club is a way to make the issue more visible at school and in your community.

Get started with our Student Action Toolkit.

3

Spread the word. Share on social.

By sharing the repercussions of driving distracted, you can help change the culture around driving.

Use the hashtag #2Eyes2Hands to see how others are taking on the issue of distracted driving.

More ways to get involved

See more information about how to fight distracted driving at MitchellSterling.org

Learn more