It is estimated that every 30 seconds in the United States there is a crash involving drivers using cell phones. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the Training, Research and Education for Driving Safety (TREDS) program at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine is reminding drivers to “Take Action Against Distraction” by adopting some easy strategies that could save lives.

*Turn off or silence your phone while driving, or simply put it out of reach

*Use an app that restricts calls and texts while driving

*Ask passengers to manage your phone *Program directions in your GPS before starting your trip

*Consider recording a voicemail message that says “I don’t talk or text while driving”

“Everyone has the ability to make a difference in reducing tragedy while driving. A recent study found 53 percent of teenagers who were on the phone while behind the wheel were talking to a parent,” said Linda Hill, MD, MPH, program director of TREDS and professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health at UC San Diego School of Medicine. “Cell phone use can be addicting so taking extra measures to decrease the temptation can help prevent serious or fatal injuries on our roadways.”

Learn more at http://treds.ucsd.edu/