Illinois Secretary of State launches distracted driving awareness campaign
The State of Illinois is taking steps to keep drivers' eyes off their phones, and on the road.
The Illinois Secretary of State's Office on Tuesday launched the One Road, One Focus campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.
"Make no mistake — distracted driving is an epidemic in America," Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said Tuesday. "It is the drunk driving of our time."
Moving forward under the campaign, student drivers will need to watch a video showing the consequences of distracted driving. The campaign will also involve billboard ads to raise awareness, and expanded distracted driving patrols.
The program is geared toward younger drivers.
The Secretary of State's office noted that April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. In 2023, nearly 3,300 people were killed and more than 300,000 were injured in districted driving crashes nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.