Congressman Krishnamoorthi Submits Statement Into The Congressional Record Commemorating Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Press Release
Today, Congressman Krishnamoorthi submitted a statement into the Congressional Record commemorating Distracted Driving Awareness Month. This year marks 10 years since Congress declared the first Distracted Driving Awareness Month in 2010, and it has continued to be an important issue as more than 700 people die or are injured every day in the United States as a result of distracted driving crashes. In 2018, approximately 2,841 people died in distraction-affected driving crashes, and the National Safety Council estimates that only 62% of drivers were "very willing" to obey state laws preventing cell phone use. To address the issue of distracted driving, Congressman Krishnamoorthi introduced the States Afforded Funding Extensions To Oppose Driving Recklessly In Vehicular Engagements (SAFE TO DRIVE) Act together with Congressman Mike Gallagher (WI-08). This legislation would incentivize states to change laws to educate drivers and enforce distracted driving laws.
"The use of electronic devices on the road is all too common and dangerous. In one second, the mistake of looking at your cell phone while driving can be irreversible and tragic. I'm proud to be promoting road safety in my district and across the country through the SAFE TO DRIVE Act," said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. "I hope that observing this Distracted Driving Awareness Month provides just that -- awareness -- to the seriousness of the issue of distracted driving."
The National Safety Council, an organization that focuses on safety policies and mitigating preventable causes of death -- such as distracted driving, has led the way in combatting distracted driving through measures including the SAFE TO DRIVE Act, which it's endorsed.
"We continue to accept crashes and near-misses as the cost of connectivity," said Lorraine M. Martin, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. "We must commit to changing our culture around distracted driving -- particularly with a national pandemic compounding traffic safety even further. We applaud Congressman Krishnamoorthi for recognizing Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the need for better education. Saving lives will mean disconnecting behind the wheel once and for all."
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