It’s not worth it: Huntsville Police urge caution during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Published on April 10, 2023
Distracted driving isn’t just a hazard to the person behind the wheel – it’s also a danger to other drivers and pedestrians.
Nine people per day are killed in crashes involving a distracted driver, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). You can help change that.
April is recognized as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the City of Huntsville and Huntsville Police Department (HPD) want to encourage residents to take action and avoid the distraction.
“Distracted driving is one of the causes of traffic accidents each day, and it’s a concern for our officers,” HPD Chief Kirk Giles said. “No text, email or selfie is more important than the lives of those we share the road with. If it can’t wait, safely pull into a parking lot to respond.”
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers plenty of tips to prevent distracted driving:
- Pull over and park your car in a safe location if you need to send a text, scroll on your phone or make a call.
- Designate a friend or passenger to do your texting and calling for you.
- Put your phone in your trunk, glove box or backseat if you’re struggling with scrolling through apps while driving.
The issue hits close to home for one City leader, who was seriously injured in a distracted driving-related car accident with his family in 2008.
“We are all just one tragedy, event or illness away from becoming an advocate for a cause,” said Council Member David Little, who has made it a mission to advocate against distracted driving, not just in Huntsville, but across the State of Alabama..
Throughout April, HPD will provide helpful tips and information on how to avoid distracted driving and end the crisis on our roadways. For updates, follow HPD on Facebook and Twitter.
