The Illinois Department of Transportation, in collaboration with Illinois State Police and local authorities, is spotlighting Distracted Driving Awareness Month. This initiative urges drivers to remain focused, stating, “Arriving late is better than never arriving.” Alarmingly, from 2019 to 2023, distracted driving resulted in 260 fatalities and injured nearly 29,500 people. Last year alone, 58 deaths were attributed to distracted driving. To combat this, IDOT’s campaign emphasizes “Don’t Drive Distracted. Eyes Forward,” encouraging drivers to avoid distractions like cellphone use. Safe driving can prevent these tragedies, and Illinois is committed to raising awareness through enhanced enforcement and education efforts.
“Arriving late is better than never arriving. Stay focused, stay safe and reach your destination without distractions,” said Stephane B. Seck-Birhame, IDOT’s bureau chief of Safety Programs and Engineering. “Remember: Don’t Drive Distracted. Eyes Forward.”
“Taking your attention away from the road and other drivers around you, even for just a second or two, can be a costly mistake, or even a deadly one,” said ISP Division of Patrol Col. Chris Owen. “The minute you get behind the wheel, driving should be your priority and everything else needs to take a back seat.”
“Don’t Drive Distracted. Eyes Forward.” is a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration campaign focused on distracted driving prevention. The heightened enforcement in Illinois is made possible through federal funds administered by IDOT and coincides with the comprehensive multimedia campaign “It’s Not a Game.