(MSC News)--Put safety first and ditch distractions. That message is delivered by the Drive to Zero Campaign, in partnership with the Kansas Department of Transportation, through a joint news release which calls inattentive driving "the main cause of motor vehicle crashes."
The reminder comes as April is designated as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, focusing on what the release calls "raising awareness and educating motorists to increase safety on roadways," with Kansas motorists, during the month, to hear and see more distracted driving safety messages, as well as increased law enforcement, to remind drivers that any distraction, including texting, is unsafe, unnecessary and illegal.
Preliminary 2023 data for Kansas shows 102 people died and more than 450 people were injured in crashes due to distracted driving.
Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows drivers ages 18-34 represent the most distracted drivers, namely due to cell phone use. In addition, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports mental distractions can last up to 27 seconds after using voice commands on cars, changing music or using phones.
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