Distracted driving is a deadly habit in Arizona

Maria Wojtczak

Submitted photo

Distracted driving isn’t just about technology, it’s about awareness. We must choose to stay focused every time we get behind the wheel. We owe that to ourselves, our families and everyone else on the road.”

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and it’s a message we can’t afford to ignore. With smartphones now acting as our calendars, entertainment and connection to the world, the temptation to check a message or glance at a notification while driving is constant. But those few seconds of distraction can lead to tragedy.

Arizona’s Hands-Off Law, which went into effect in January 2021, prohibits the use of handheld electronic devices while driving. It’s an important step, but unfortunately, laws alone aren’t enough to change behavior. I still see drivers every day with phones in their hands, glancing down while moving through intersections or drifting across lanes. Unfortunately, too many people still don’t take the risk seriously.

I work every day with new and inexperienced drivers. Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous habits we see, and one of the hardest to break. For teens in particular, distractions are everywhere, and it’s not just from phones. Peer pressure, music, conversations and even anxiety or stress all contribute to distractions behind the wheel. When you combine that with inexperience, the risk increases drastically.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens aged 16 to 19. Drivers in this age group are nearly three times more likely than drivers 20 and older to be involved in a fatal crash. And many of these crashes are preventable. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that between 2013 and 2022, 543 Arizona teen drivers were involved in fatal crashes, with distraction often playing a role.

We can’t expect young drivers to build safe habits without education, which is why the right course is so important. Schools shouldn’t just teach students how to steer, merge and signal at the right time; it’s critical to teach them how to think and stay focused on driving, getting from point A to point B without incident.

One of the most important skills every driver should master is something we call “priority of focus.” Where should your attention be while driving? Strategic driving is also critical. What are your observations of other drivers? Are they distracted or not paying attention? If so, how can you position yourself to avoid them?

We require students to place their phones in a box when they arrive for their course, and they don’t get them back until they leave. Even during breaks, they must figure out a way to occupy themselves without their phones.

Simulation is an important tool that allows both novice and experienced drivers to learn how to navigate “real-world” distractions on the road, in a safe and controlled environment. Teaching drivers to not always reach for their device is critical.

Here are a few practical tips to help reduce distracted driving, for both teens and adults:

• Put your phone away before you start the car. Out of sight, out of mind.

Distracted driving isn’t just about technology, it’s about awareness. We must choose to stay focused every time we get behind the wheel. We owe that to ourselves, our families and everyone else on the road.

Let this month be a reminder that the safest drivers are the ones who are paying attention at all times. Laws help set the rules, but it’s education, practice and personal responsibility that truly save lives.

Editor’s note: Maria Wojtczak is the founder and owner of DrivingMBA, a driver training school with locations in Scottsdale and Glendale. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.