Embracing Safety During Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. At Kemper Auto, we’re using this time to remind everyone how important it is to pay attention on the road.

Safe driving doesn’t just protect you, it also protects your passengers, other drivers, and the people around you. One moment of distraction can lead to a serious accident. 

What is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving happens when you take your attention off the road. Common distractions include using your phone, eating, talking to passengers, or adjusting the radio or GPS.

Looking at your phone or changing a song may seem quick, but even a few seconds can make it harder to see traffic signals or react quickly. According to the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about nine people die each day in the United States due to distracted driving.

Distracted driving can also affect how much you pay for insurance. The American Automobile Association (AAA) Club Alliance says a ticket for distracted driving can lead to fines and may increase your auto insurance rate by up to 28%. 

Driving safely and avoiding distractions can help you stay within the law and may even lower your insurance costs if you keep a good driving record. 

See how your driving habits may impact other drivers!

Get Enough Sleep to Stay Focused

Driving takes your full attention. Distractions aren’t the only danger. Being tired can also affect your ability to drive safely. 

Did you know that driving while very tired can be like driving under the influence? Studies show that getting only 3–4 hours of sleep can affect your driving as much as having a couple of alcoholic drinks. 

The Sleep Foundation suggests these tips to stay alert:

• If you feel tired, pull over in a safe, well-lit area and take a 20-minute nap. If needed, rest longer. 
• Coffee can help for a short time, but it’s not a long-term solution. 
• Try to build healthy sleeping habits. Go to bed at the same time each night, avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed, and talk to a doctor if you have trouble sleeping.

Getting enough sleep isn’t just about feeling better, it could save your life. Driving well starts with sleeping well. 

The Community Impact  

Distracted driving doesn’t just affect one person—it can impact entire communities. When accidents happen in neighborhoods, people may feel less safe walking or biking, and property can be damaged.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), 7,148 pedestrians were killed by drivers in the United States in 2024.

Frequent accidents can also lead to higher insurance costs for everyone nearby. Insurance companies look at crash rates in your area when setting prices. If there are many accidents in an area, rates may go up—even for safe drivers. 

This means distracted driving not only puts lives at risk, but it can also raise costs for you and your whole community. By understanding how our actions affect others, we can all make safer choices. 

Talking with friends and family about these risks can help spread awareness and encourage safer driving habits. 

See more on how distracted driving can affect a community.

A Call to Action: Start Driving Distraction Free  

This month and beyond, we encourage everyone to make safe choices behind the wheel. Here are some simple ways to start:

For yourself: 

• Turn on “Do Not Disturb” mode or put your phone out of reach while driving. 
• Be sure you get enough rest before you getting behind the wheel.
  

For families:

• Parents can set a good example by not using their phone while driving.

• Talk to teens about the dangers of distracted driving, especially texting and driving.

With friends:

• If a friend is texting while driving, speak up. Offer to help by reading or sending messages.
• If a friend is trying to play music from their phone, offer to be the car DJ so they don’t have to while driving.

In the workplace:

• If someone says they are driving during a call, offer to reschedule or record the meeting.
• Try to avoid scheduling meetings during common commute times.
• Companies can create rules about device use while driving, especially in work vehicles.

Visit our website to learn more about Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Let’s work together to make the roads safer for everyone, because every life on the road matters.