For a better experience on PITT OHIO, please update your browser.

TRACK A SHIPMENT

LTL Quick Tools

  • Rate Quote
  • Bill of Lading
  • Freight Charges
  • Request a Pickup
  • Routing Search
  • Images
  • Quick Pay

    • Drive Smart

    Drive Smart This April: The Real Cost of Distracted Driving

    April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a timely reminder that the choices we make behind the wheel matter every trip, every mile, every moment. Distracted driving is not limited to texting. It includes anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your focus away from driving. The consequences can be life changing.

    According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of crashes on United States roadways, claiming thousands of lives every year.

    What Does Distracted Driving Really Mean

    Most people think of cell phones first, and for good reason. Phone use continues to be the most common distraction. But distraction takes many forms, including:

    • Texting, calling, or scrolling on a phone
    • Eating or drinking
    • Adjusting GPS, radio, or climate controls
    • Talking with passengers
    • Reaching for items inside the vehicle

    Texting is especially dangerous. Sending or reading a message takes your eyes off the road for about five seconds. At highway speeds, that is the same as driving the length of a football field without looking.

    The Impact Is Bigger Than You Think

    Recent data shows distracted driving is linked to more than three thousand deaths in a single year and hundreds of thousands of injuries. These crashes account for a significant percentage of all traffic fatalities nationwide.

    What is often overlooked is that distracted driving affects more than just drivers. Passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and families feel the impact. One brief distraction can change many lives in an instant.

    Why Just a Second Is Never Just a Second

    Many drivers believe they can multitask safely. The reality is our brains are not built to manage multiple tasks at high speed. Even small distractions increase the risk of a crash or close call.

    The most concerning part is that most distracted driving crashes are preventable.

    Simple Ways to Drive Smart

    Driving without distractions starts with small, intentional habits:

    • Put your phone away before driving and keep it out of reach
    • Use Do Not Disturb mode to silence notifications
    • Pull over safely if a call or message cannot wait
    • Ask a passenger to help with directions or messages
    • Set your destination and vehicle controls before you start driving

    If you are riding with someone who appears distracted, speak up. A quick reminder can make a meaningful difference.

    A Commitment That Matters

    Distracted Driving Awareness Month is not about blame. It is about responsibility. Every driver has the ability to make the road safer by choosing to stay focused..

    This April, commit to driving smart. Put the phone away. Stay present. Because getting home safely is always the goal.

    For more information and safety resources, visit NHTSA.