A post, a selfie, a text, a scroll, an email – one look, when behind the wheel, is all it takes to lose a life. Distracted driving kills an average of nine people and injures over 1,000 every day in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and AAA is committed to educating and informing drivers on the dangers of distraction behind the wheel.

Research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds that more than 87.5 percent of drivers view distracted drivers as a growing problem. Yet, 52 percent of drivers report recently talking on a handheld phone while driving, while nearly 41 percent have sent a text or email. This behavior contradicts the stat that almost 58 percent of drivers say talking on a cellphone behind the wheel is a dire threat to their safety, while 78 percent believe texting is a significant danger.

Meanwhile, AT&T research shows that risky behaviors are getting worse. The dangerous habit of distraction includes new forms of transportation, like e-scooters and motorized bikes. Research shows that seven in 10 drivers say their smartphone has become essential for getting around, and video watching and video chatting while driving has doubled since 2015.

AAA research also finds that potentially dangerous mental distractions can persist for as long as 27 seconds after drivers send a text message. At 25 mph, drivers travel the length of nearly three football fields during this time. AAA urges drivers to put down their phones and avoid distractions, especially now during April’s Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

To learn more about safe driving and find a program for you, go to AAA.com/Community.

AAA Driver Training