In this world of instant messaging and connectivity, it is no surprise that instances of distracted driving have grown to unprecedented proportions. And though not all distractions are related to electronic devices, new statistics show that drivers using hand-held devices while driving are four times more likely to get into crashes that are serious enough to injure themselves or others. Teen driving injuries and deaths related to texting or messaging while driving reflect the seriousness of this wide-spread problem. Eleven teenagers die every day as a result of texting while driving and 94 percent say they know the dangers but 35 percent of those teens admit to doing it anyway. Twenty one percent of teen drivers involved in fatal accidents were distracted by their cell phone. To help combat this epidemic and bring awareness to this fast-growing safety issue, the Iowa Department of Public Safety has named April Distracted Driving Month. This is a time for everyone to get into the habit of putting down their devices while driving, and becoming a part of the solution instead of adding to the problem.
