April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NTHSA) defines distracted driving as any activity that takes the driver’s attention away from the road, such as talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, changing the radio, entering information into a navigation system, or even putting on makeup. The NTHSA’s latest survey does show one promising statistic and that is drivers talking on handheld phones decreased from 2.5 percent in 2021 to 2.1 percent in 2022.

This shift in driver behavior is likely attributed to increased usage of Bluetooth technology and the "do not disturb while driving" features on smartphones. However, there is still progress to be made. Many drivers fail to utilize these options, some struggle to pair their devices with their vehicles, and others are unaware that the "do not disturb while driving" feature needs to be activated to function. Additionally, users may encounter difficulties in utilizing one or both of these features.

“Western North Carolina area drivers should be focused solely on driving safe, protecting not only themselves and their passengers, but others on the road as well,” said Haskell Vinson, area sales manager for UScellular in western North Carolina. “While devices can enhance safety on the roads, they can also be a distraction. It’s important for drivers to know all tools available to eliminate distractions, whether it be an application, a feature on your device, or a family decision you are committed to upholding. Our associates are here offer free, one-on-one assistance on all these and more during Distracted Driver Awareness Month.”

 UScellular is offering the following tips to help drivers remain focused and alert while driving.

·        Use Do Not Disturb While Driving. Built-in phone features are available to help drivers stay focused on the road. Driving Focus and Driving Mode can be utilized on iPhones and Android phones, respectively. This mode uses a “do not disturb” feature by limiting notifications, calls, and texts when driving. Individuals sending a message will see that the driver has silenced notifications or will receive an automatic reply, depending on settings. Incoming calls are only allowed when connected to CarPlay, Bluetooth, or a hands-free accessory, and individuals can ask their smartphone digital assistant – like Siri or Bixby – to read replies. Explore these modes to see all the features, settings, and allowances.

·        Utilize Bluetooth and Handsfree Options When Necessary: Mobile devices serve as a resource for music, driving directions, and more. Before hitting the road, connect your device to your vehicle. This pairing process takes just minutes, and our local UScellular associates can help drivers set up these features at no charge. And, if you have an older vehicle that does not have this capability, after market solutions such as the Scosche Pro Bluetooth FM Transmitter are available to add Bluetooth and voice activated services.

·        Take advantage of apps. A wide range of applications are available to help eliminate distractions, focus on the road and track locations. OnMyWay allows drivers to earn money for every mile they do not text or use distracting apps while driving. The application also has a feature that can allow Western North Carolina businesses to establish a distracted driving policy. Business owners will have the ability to offer incentives to employees who practice safe driving while providing an added layer of protection for their employees and community. 

While, the below tips below aren’t focused on phone use they can also keep distracted driving to a minimum. When comes to new drivers and passengers in the vehicle here are a few other items to consider:

·        Establish rules of the road for new drivers. For parents of teens or young adults, a simple yet effective step is to establish rules and expectations with loved ones before hitting the road. UScellular has partnered with Screen Sanity to offer a free, customizable Smarter Start Toolkit to help aid in this process. Families can outline rules for phone usage while driving – such as not texting and driving, keeping location and driving data apps such as Life360 and GeoZilla Family Locater active, and other important details like curfews and nighttime driving limitations.

·        Encourage safe, responsible driving behavior from the passenger seat. Passengers also have the power to help stop distracted driving behavior. Speak up if a driver appears to be distracted and ask them to focus on driving. Help reduce distractions by recommending alternatives, like offering to text or navigate on behalf of the driver. 

To learn more about this topic and how to utilize available resources, go to National Safety Council Distracted Driving Awareness Month and screensanity.org/uscellular. And, if you have questions about any of the tips and applications discussed here today, UScellular associates are available to help at Western North Carolina locations.

About UScellular

UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to help customers stay connected to the things that matter most. The Chicago-based carrier provides a strong, reliable network supported by the latest technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. Through its After School Access Project, the company has donated more than $23 million in hotspots and service to help youth connect to reliable internet. To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, visit newsroom.uscellular.com.