The Illinois Department of Transportation is partnering with the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies to kick off Distracted Driving Awareness Month, urging drivers to stay focused or face the consequences. Distracted driving—whether through cellphone use or any activity that diverts attention from operating a vehicle—is a dangerous behavior that puts everyone on the road at risk.
According to IDOT statistics, between 2019 and 2023, there were 260 fatalities and 29,458 injuries resulting from crashes related to distractions. In 2023 alone, 58 people lost their lives in accidents involving at least one distracted driver, which accounted for 4.7% of all traffic fatalities that year.
These incidents are preventable. Drivers can enhance safety by keeping their hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, and thoughts focused solely on driving. If you anticipate receiving or sending a text, pull over to a safe location first. Avoid scrolling through social media or messaging while driving, and consider activating your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature.
ISP Division of Patrol Col. Chris Owen stated, “Diverting your attention from the road and surrounding drivers, even for a moment, can lead to costly or even fatal mistakes. Once you’re behind the wheel, driving must be your top priority, and everything else should take a back seat.”
Increased enforcement efforts in Illinois are supported by federal funds managed by IDOT and are part of a broader multimedia campaign titled “It’s Not a Game.”
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