Distracted Driving Awareness Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

WHEREAS, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines distracted driving as “any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone;” and

WHEREAS, the Governors Highway Safety Association says that phone use – particularly calling and texting – while driving is one of the most common driver distractions; and

WHEREAS, informing drivers of the dangers of using a handheld communications device while operating a motor vehicle is essential to reducing distraction-related fatalities and injuries; and

WHEREAS, in Virginia in 2022, 99 fatalities were the result of distraction-related traffic crashes; and

WHEREAS, last year’s slight reduction in distraction-related traffic fatalities in Virginia, compared to 117 in 2021 and 121 in 2020, may be attributed to greater driver awareness of the dangers of distracted driving; and

WHEREAS, House Joint Resolution No. 727, passed in 2013 by the Virginia General Assembly, designates April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, DRIVE SMART Virginia, a non-profit organization promoting traffic safety in the Commonwealth, created an educational campaign called Buckle Up, Phone Down to remind the public about importance of driving distraction-free; and

WHEREAS, a month dedicated to programs and activities focused on reducing distracted driving will raise awareness and may result in a reduction in traffic fatalities and injuries in the Commonwealth;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize April 2023, as DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations