Virginia DMV launches anti-distracted driver campaign that it’s calling ‘Open Your Eyes’

Looking at your phone while driving is akin to driving with your eyes closed, is the message of a new driver-safety program from the Virginia DMV, titled “Open Your Eyes.”

Interesting, that DMV is interested in what we do in our vehicles.

Their specialty seems to be making us wait in line forever.

“There are serious risks that come with the decision to look at our phones while driving, even just for a couple of seconds,” said DMV Commissioner Saundra Jack, the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative, in a quote from a release rolling out the new campaign, which features a TV ad that shows drivers covering their faces with their hands, creating an alternate reality where they can no longer see or respond to what’s happening around them.

Per the release:

“Tension builds as two distracted drivers unknowingly approach a collision until time freezes just before impact, bringing them face-to-face with the consequences of their actions.”

“Our campaign was developed to present these risks in a new light and shift the mindset of those who see no harm in taking their eyes off the road. Whether they’re reading a text or physically covering their eyes, the dangers — and dire outcomes — are the same,” Jack said.

Data from Virginia State Police tells us that, in 2026 alone, there have been 11,953 crashes, 93 fatalities and 816 serious injuries involving a distracted driver.

The data tells us that 10 percent of those drivers were distracted by cell phone use and texting, which NHTSA considers the most dangerous distractions overall.

Tips to avoid distractions while behind the wheel:

• Turn on the “Do Not Disturb” feature on your phone to silence all notifications before driving.
• If you’re struggling not to text and drive, physically place your phone in a hard-to-reach area in the car.
• Pull over and park in a safe location before using your phone.
• Preset all music and GPS trips before beginning a drive.
• Ask passengers to manage any calls or texts.
• Listen to passengers asking you to put your phone away.

For more information about distracted driving, visit DMV’s Distracted Driving page.