April is nationally recognized as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Distracted driving is any non-driving activity with the potential to distract a person from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing. Driving distractions is not only using your cellphone to call or text, but also includes eating, drinking and any other activity that takes your eyes off the road.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019, distracted driving killed 3,142 people – a 10 percent increase from 2018. As cellphone use is on the increase to include using phone applications and tools, and people are spending more time traveling in their vehicles, it is necessary to continue to focus attention on education and enforcement of not driving distracted.

Menlo Park’s Police Department will join others throughout the state to step up enforcement along with awareness efforts by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to discourage distracted driving. California’s OTS campaign, “Just Drive”, reminds drivers to put down their phones, eliminate distractions and focus on the road. 

We encourage drivers to build safety habits by focusing on the road and being alert to pedestrians, bicyclists and other drivers. Drive safe and alert so you and others can get to your destinations safely!