Government : ROADSIDE CHAT - CRASHES ARE RARE WHEN YOU DARE TO CARE

What's your main focus when you're behind the wheel? When asked that question, your answer should be "driving." But if you're honest with yourself, do you really focus solely on driving?

While it is difficult for law enforcement to record just how many crashes are caused by distracted drivers, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that 3,142 people in the United States were killed in crashes involving distracted drivers in 2020.

These common behaviors can be dangerous, and you may not even realize how much they can distract you when you're driving.

• Eating or drinking
• Changing the radio station or climate control
• Reaching for an item in the passenger seat or back seat
• Having a full bladder
• Driving while angry
• Using a hands-free device to talk or text

Anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your attention away from driving is a distraction. Caring more about driving than anything else when you're behind the wheel makes you a better driver and helps you avoid the dangers caused by other drivers around you who may not be paying attention.

Thanks to Steve N. from Des Moines for submitting this message. If you would like to submit your own message idea, go to https://zerofatalitiesiowa.com/.

Learn the facts about distracted driving - https://www.enddd.org/the-facts-about-distracted-driving/.

In Iowa in 2022, there have been 142 deaths in traffic crashes. That's an increase of five since last Friday. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, go to the daily fatality report at https://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/stats/daily.pdf