Distracted driving, especially among teens, is a rising concern that demands urgent attention.

To tackle this issue, the California Highway Patrol is launching a yearlong campaign to curb distractions behind the wheel for young drivers.

This initiative coincides with National Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct. 20 to 26, 2024.

Tragically, motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of death for teens in the United States.

With over 800,000 licensed teenage drivers in California alone, thousands of these young drivers are involved in deadly or injury-causing crashes each year.

From Oct. 1, 2021, through the end of September 2022,195 teenagers were involved in a crash related to inattention.

Supported by a specialized grant, the CHP’s Teen Distracted Driving initiative focuses on fostering safe, attentive driving habits in young drivers, aiming to prevent these teens from becoming another grim statistic.

“Teens face an even greater risk of crashing due to the lethal combination of inexperience and distraction, which can lead to lifelong consequences,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “The CHP is committed to raising awareness among teen drivers through a combination of education and enforcement, ensuring they understand the critical importance of giving their full attention to driving.”

Common distractions that affect a person’s driving ability include external visual distractions, interaction with passengers or pets, cellular telephones (hands-free and handheld), eating, smoking, personal grooming, reading, radio, electronic equipment, etc. These secondary tasks reduce the driver’s attention from the primary task of driving.

The Teen Distracted Driving program features an educational component. CHP officers and traffic safety advocates engage in school and community events across the state.

Special enforcement efforts targeting distracted driving will take place during National Teen Driver Safety Week in October and National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.