Today is National Do Not Disturb While Driving Day, which encourages drivers to get into the habit of putting mobile devices away and activate the “Do Not Disturb” mode on phones.
In 2024, cell phones seem to never stop vibrating, pinging and lighting up in a constant pursuit for our attention. But drivers must resist the urge to pick up the phone while driving. Doing so could save lives.
National Do Not Disturb While Driving Day is marked by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), along with DRIVE SMART Virginia.
“Looking away from the road for a few seconds to glance at a phone is all it takes to cause a tragedy,” said VDOT Commissioner Stephen Brich. “Whatever message is on your phone is not more important than your life or the lives of others, so keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.”
Drivers with their heads buried in their phones while traveling fast on a highway surrounded by other cars is a scary sight for others. Distracted driving continues to be a major problem in Virginia and across the United States. In 2023, 1,546 reports of crashes in Virginia involved a driver using a cell phone and 142 reports of a crash involving a driver specifically texting, according to the Virginia DMV. The data underestimates the problem since it can depend on drivers admitting that they used a phone and the process to prove it can be challenging.
“We cannot emphasize enough that driving requires your full attention,” DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey, the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative, said. “Last year 64 people lost their lives on Virginia’s roadways due to distracted driving. Silencing distractions can save you or someone you love from becoming a statistic.”
Since 2021, Virginia law has prohibited drivers from holding cell phones or any other wireless communication devices while driving. Exceptions are made for drivers who are parked or stopped, using a phone to report an emergency, or for individuals who operate emergency vehicles and are performing their official duties. Drivers can have phone calls if they are able to do so without holding the device, by using technology such as Bluetooth. Violation of the law is punishable by fines.
“When you are driving, your No. 1 and only focus should be on the road,” Col. Gary T. Settle, superintendent of Virginia State Police, said. “The law requires you to put the phone down and keep your eyes on the road. Maybe you’ve checked an incoming text or email a hundred times without anything happening, but it just takes one glance to end a life.”
The Do Not Disturb mode has been available on smartphones since 2012, and helps drivers remain focused on the road by silencing notifications. Phones may also include a driving-focus mode, which allows drivers to specifically program in an automated text response informing callers that you are driving and will respond when safe to do so.
“As drivers, we may have the best intentions to avoid using our phones while driving, but the truth is, it’s challenging to resist,” said Kristin Pettway, executive director of DRIVE SMART Virginia. “Activating the Do Not Disturb feature on your phone is a simple action that could save lives.”
By enabling Do Not Disturb, you can mute calls, notifications and other alerts to eliminate phone distractions while driving. Calls will go to voicemail, and text messages will get an automated response that may be customized.
Take a few minutes to explore the settings, become familiar with them and begin using them the next time you drive. They make it easy to remain focused on driving and make the roadways safer for everyone.
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Rebecca Barnabi
