Not Just in April: A Call to End Distracted Driving Every Day
Jake Smith, with the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) Waco District, explained how distracted driving is a leading contributor to accidents in the Lone Star State.
'Last year, we saw distracted driving contributed to over 91,000 crashes in the state of Texas, and, unfortunately, almost 400 of those resulted in deaths,' he said.
Smith echoed the importance of being aware year-round and not just during April. 'Not just this month, but any time you drive. Be sure to take care of your business that you need to before you start operating your vehicle. Everyone likes to think that maybe they're good at multitasking, and multitasking is great at home and maybe even at your work, but don't do it while you're operating on a two-ton vehicle.'
He also added that with major construction projects underway across Central Texas, including the I-35 South Waco Project, officials are urging drivers to be especially alert. Lane shifts, speed changes, and the presence of road workers add to the risk when drivers aren't fully focused.
Common distractions range from texting or glancing at a rearview mirror to adjusting GPS systems, eating, or changing music. Each can be enough to cause a crash, say driving experts. 'Looking at yourself in the mirror, eating, drinking, messing with the radio, maps—anything that takes your attention off the road can be dangerous,' said Larry Renfro, a manager with the Austin Driving School in Waco. 'It's like driving with your eyes closed.'
Dillon Bedell, a Baylor University student, knows that risk all too well. In December of 2024, he was the victim of a multi-car collision caused by a distracted driver.
'I was just sitting at the stop sign, waiting to go home,' Bedell said. 'Somebody hit me, and it turned into a three-car wreck. My car got totaled, I think another car got totaled. It was just a very unfortunate situation.'
Months later, the impact of that moment still lingers. 'I still think about it today,' he said. 'Especially because my car was totaled. It's just something I wish could have been avoided—and it could've been, so easily.'
Despite the ordeal, Bedell is thankful he walked away from the crash and was able to replace his vehicle in time to finish the school year and compete in his track season.
As state and local officials continue efforts to reduce distracted driving incidents, they're encouraging all motorists to put their phones down, stay focused, and make safety a priority —every month of the year.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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