11 Safety Tips for Distracted Driving Awareness Month and Beyond

At Road Legends, we prioritize safe driving every day of the year. However, with April designated as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, it's an opportune time to focus on the critical issue of distracted driving, which affects everyone on the road, especially truck drivers like you.

Distracted driving remains a significant threat to road safety. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019, distracted driving claimed 3,142 lives in the United States. While comprehensive statistics for 2024 are still being compiled, preliminary reports indicate that the numbers remain alarmingly high. For instance, the Tennessee Department of Transportation noted an "alarming increase" in distracted driving incidents last year, underscoring the ongoing severity of this issue. ​Axios

As professional truck drivers, your role in maintaining road safety is paramount. The size and weight of your vehicles mean that any lapse in attention can have devastating consequences. This Distracted Driving Awareness Month, let's delve into what constitutes distracted driving and explore ways to stay vigilant and focused behind the wheel.

What is distracted driving?

Distracted driving encompasses any activity that diverts attention from driving, compromising the safety of the driver, passengers, and others on the road. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) categorizes distractions into three main types:​

1. Visual distractions: These occur when drivers take their eyes off the road. Examples include reading text messages, glancing at a navigation system, or observing events outside the vehicle.​

2. Manual distractions: These involve taking one's hands off the steering wheel. Activities such as texting, adjusting the radio, eating, or reaching for objects fall into this category.​

3. Cognitive distractions: These happen when a driver's mind wanders away from the task of driving. Typical examples include engaging in phone conversations, daydreaming, or focusing on personal problems.​

The risks associated with these distractions are amplified for truck drivers due to the demanding nature of the job and the potential severity of accidents involving large vehicles. Understanding these distraction types is the first step toward recognizing and mitigating them in your daily driving routines.​

In the following sections, we'll discuss practical strategies to minimize distractions and enhance your focus on the road, not just during Distracted Driving Awareness Month but throughout your driving career.

11 practical tips to stay focused on the road

Accidents are unpredictable, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take proactive steps to avoid them, especially when reducing distracted driving. 

One split-second distraction could be between a safe trip and a life-altering accident. By intentionally minimizing distractions, you give yourself the best chance to react quickly and keep yourself and others safe.

So here are 11 driver-friendly tips to help you stay focused, alert, and distraction-free during Distracted Driving Awareness Month and every single day you hit the road.

1. Don’t talk or text while driving

Let’s start with the most obvious one. Texting while driving is one of the most dangerous distractions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that reading or sending a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of a football field blindfolded.

And don’t be fooled by hands-free calls either, even voice conversations can distract your brain and reduce reaction time, similar to being under the influence. In fact, studies show cell phone users are 5.36 times more likely to get into a crash than those who are fully attentive.

2. Let people know you’re driving

Before you get on the road, take a few seconds to text or call loved ones to let them know you’ll be driving. Most people will respect your safety and hold off on reaching out.

This simple courtesy can prevent unnecessary calls or texts during your route, and it also sets a great example for others, especially younger drivers who may look up to professional truckers.

3. Use “do not disturb while driving” modes

If your smartphone has a driving mode, use it. Features like Apple’s “Do Not Disturb While Driving,” AT&T’s DriveMode, or Android Auto can automatically silence messages, block notifications, and reduce the temptation to glance at your phone.

Some truckers even use third-party apps that gamify safe driving or send auto-replies while behind the wheel. These tools are easy to set up and take the pressure off staying digitally connected while driving.

4. Pull over for important conversations

Not all conversations can wait, but your driving should always come first. If something urgent comes up, find a safe place to pull over, park your truck, and then take the call or respond to that message.

Your safety (and the safety of everyone else on the road) is always more important than a phone call or text message.

5. Plan your route in advance

Fumbling with your GPS mid-route is a major distraction. Always take a few minutes before you drive to review your route, set your destination, and check traffic or weather conditions. This reduces the need to make last-minute adjustments or stress over unfamiliar roads.

Some truckers find it helpful to use a dash-mounted GPS designed for commercial vehicles, which avoids low-clearance bridges, restricted roads, or weight limits.

6. Eat and drink before you drive

It’s tempting to snack or sip coffee while driving, especially during long hauls, but even that can take your hands and eyes off the road. Try to eat your meals or grab coffee before you hit the highway or during planned breaks. If you must hydrate while driving, use a spill-proof bottle you can grab safely.

Remember: multitasking while driving is never worth the risk.

7. Secure loose items in the truck

Loose items rolling around can become huge distractions. A falling water bottle, buzzing phone, or sliding paperwork can take your attention off the road. Take a minute before you drive to secure everything properly, so you’re not tempted to reach or adjust while driving.

8. Stay mentally present

Even with your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road, your mind can still wander. You might be thinking about a last-mile delivery, home life, or bills, try to stay mentally engaged with the road ahead.

Practicing mindfulness, deep breathing, or listening to calming music or audiobooks can help you stay in the moment. A clear, focused mind is just as important as a clear windshield.

9. Take regular breaks

Driving long hours leads to fatigue, which can be just as dangerous as distraction. Take your federally mandated breaks seriously, use that time to stretch, grab a bite, rest your eyes, or even take a short nap if needed.

A tired driver is more prone to zoning out, a form of cognitive distraction. Stay rested and refreshed to stay sharp.

10. Keep your dashboard organized

Clutter can be mentally distracting. Keep your dashboard clean and only keep essential tools within arm’s reach, like a mounted GPS, logbook, and emergency info. A tidy space helps keep a tidy mind.

11. Make distracted driving awareness month a year-round habit

We’re talking about these tips because it’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month, but safety isn’t just for April. Think of this month as a reset or a reminder. Committing to focus and avoiding distractions daily makes you a safer, more reliable professional on the road.

Every time you choose safety over convenience, you're setting an example for other truckers and everyone sharing the highway with you.

Beyond April, your mind is your strongest safety tool

Distracted Driving Awareness Month shines a spotlight on one of the most persistent risks on the road but let’s be real: distractions don’t check the calendar. They don’t care whether it’s April, August, or the middle of a snowstorm in December. That’s why your focus needs to be a daily discipline, not just a one-month initiative.

As a professional truck driver, your rig, your training, and your route planning all matter, but your mindset is the most potent safety feature you have. Staying mentally alert, emotionally steady, and physically present while driving can protect more lives than any technology ever could.

Distraction doesn’t always show up in dramatic ways. Sometimes it’s that little voice telling you to check your messages quickly. Or that podcast that pulls your thoughts off the highway and into another world. Or maybe it’s the pressure to multitask because you’re running behind. These small, “harmless” moments add up, and over time, they become dangerous habits.

But here’s the good news: you can retrain your brain. Like any muscle, your focus gets stronger when you use it intentionally. It starts with being honest with yourself about what takes your mind off the road, and then building small systems to protect your focus.

And don’t forget: you’re not in this alone. Talk to your dispatcher. Share tips with your fellow drivers. Encourage your company to support focused driving through updated policies, truck-friendly tech, and wellness support. You might be alone in the truck, but you’re part of a massive, hard-working, road-loving community that's stronger when we look out for each other.

So even after Distracted Driving Awareness Month ends, let this be your reminder: your attention is a life-saving tool. Respect, protect, and use it like the pro you are, mile after mile.

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