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City Shares Safety Tips in Honor of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Nine people are killed every day in the U.S. due to distracted driving crashes, according to TextLess Drive More, an organization with a mission to empower young people to change their behaviors behind the wheel.
Posted on: April 25, 2022 - 5:00pm
Young Driver Texting Behind The Wheel

In honor of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month – April – the City’s Health & Human Services Department has shared safety tips to help the Melrose community drive safer.

In addition to the tips, the Health & Human Services Department encourages community members to vow not to drive distracted by signing the TextLess Live More pledge here at textlesslivemore.org and share their pledge on social media to spread the word — #JustDrive. 

“The National Safety Council shows that our roads are the most dangerous they have been in years,” said Kara Showers, Mass in Motion Coordinator for the City of Melrose. “Every April, advocates across the country recognize National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and we wanted to join the conversation locally with our community members.”

Follow these safety tips for a safe ride every time:

  • Need to send a text? Pull over and park your car in a safe location. Only then is it safe to send or read a text.
  • Designate your passenger as your “designated texter.” Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
  • Do not scroll through apps, including social media, while driving. Cell phone use can be habit-forming.
  • Struggling to not text and drive? Put the cell phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of the vehicle until you arrive at your destination.

While texting is considered the most dangerous activity while behind the wheel, there are several risky behaviors that can lead to distracted driving. These activities include talking on the phone or to others in the car, using a navigation app, adjusting music volume or changing the radio, drinking coffee, and applying makeup, among others.

“By driving distracted, you could rob yourself of seconds that you may need to avoid a close call or deadly crash,” said Emily Hatchouel, Public Health Specialist for the City of Melrose. “We’re hoping that you can spread the word to family and friends that distracted driving, including hands-free phone use and radio/GPS systems, may put yourself and your community at risk.”

Information provided by: Health and Human Service Department staff Kara Showers and Emily Hatchouel, TextLess Live More, the National Safety Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

To learn more about TextLess Live More, visit textlesslivemore.org.

About the Health and Human Services Department

The Health Department, now the Health and Human Services Department as of March 2022, is continuously evolving and has recently shifted to expand its services in both physical and mental health, where there is a focus on prevention, remediation, and maintenance. The Department’s mission has always been to promote the personal and environmental health of the community through education and policy development supported by enforceable regulations, and collaboration with other people and organizations. This name change better encompasses the services the Department is providing. https://www.cityofmelrose.org/health-and-human-services.