Editors Note: B-roll of distracted drivers and distracted driving crashes is available for your use here.
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and AAA Hawaii is urging drivers to eliminate distractions behind the wheel as thousands of lives continue to be lost each year to preventable crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,275 people were killed and more than 324,000 were injured in distracted driving crashes in 2023—an average of nine deaths and nearly 900 injuries every day. Safety experts say even a brief lapse in attention can have fatal consequences.
“Driving safely requires your full attention,” said AAA Hawaii Public Affairs Specialist Kandace Redd. “Every time a driver looks away from the road, the risk of a serious crash increases. National Distracted Driving Awareness Month reminds us that safe driving is about more than following the rules. It is about making a conscious choice to focus on the road and protect lives.”
Why Distracted Driving Is So Dangerous
Distracted driving includes any activity that diverts attention from driving, such as:
- Texting or talking on a phone
- Scrolling social media
- Eating or drinking
- Adjusting music, GPS, or vehicle controls
Texting remains one of the most dangerous distractions. Reading or sending a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for about five seconds—the equivalent of traveling the length of a football field blindfolded at 55 mph.
Drivers Know the Risk—But Many Still Take It
Despite widespread awareness, risky behavior remains common. The latest AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Culture Index found that nearly all drivers consider distracted driving extremely or very dangerous:
- 97% say scrolling on social media is dangerous
- 94% say texting or emailing is dangerous
- 90% say reading on a handheld phone is dangerous
Yet many admitted doing it anyway:
- 28% said they texted while driving
- 37% said they read messages
- 36% said they talked on a handheld phone
Hawaii Focus
Hawaii law prohibits the use of handheld mobile electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle, making it illegal for drivers to text or engage in other handheld uses of devices such as cell phones or navigation systems. The law also applies when a driver is stopped at a red light or stop sign. Furthermore, drivers under the age of 18 may not use any mobile electronic device, including hands-free systems, while operating a motor vehicle. Violations are subject to fines starting at $347, with higher penalties in school zones or construction areas.
Safer Roads, Together
In Hawaii in 2025, there were 459 major traffic crashes that involved distracted driving and caused 43 serious injuries, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT).
“Distracted Driver Awareness Month is a good reminder of the safety habits we should use every day on the roads,” said HDOT Director Ed Sniffen. “Any non-driving action significantly increases your risk of causing a crash. Passengers, remind your driver to pay attention. Drivers, focus on the road and keep your passengers and others safe. It is everyone's responsibility to limit distractions.”
According to the Honolulu Police Department (HPD), 82 people were killed in crashes in 2025, and that includes distracted driving.
That same year, HPD launched “Safer Roads, Together,” a campaign designed to prevent tragedies and keep all travelers—drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians—safe. The initiative emphasizes that safety is everyone’s kuleana, focusing on education and community engagement rather than enforcement alone. The initiative combines high-visibility traffic enforcement, public safety messaging, and community outreach to address the behaviors and conditions that contribute to serious crashes.
Building on enforcement efforts already underway, HPD is expanding the campaign this year to include structured grassroots engagement in priority districts, including Kāneʻohe, Kapolei, and Kalihi, where recent fatal and critical traffic incidents highlight persistent safety concerns.
“Traffic deaths are preventable,” said Honolulu Police Department Interim Chief Rade Vanic. “Through Safer Roads, Together, we are strengthening visible enforcement while also working directly with our communities to reinforce roadway safety and shared responsibility.”
AAA Hawaii Tips to Eliminate Distractions
AAA Hawaii encourages drivers to:
- Put phones away or activate “Do Not Disturb While Driving”
- Set GPS and vehicle controls before traveling
- Avoid eating or multitasking while driving
- Secure loose items, children, and pets
- Pull over safely if attention is needed elsewhere
Bottom line: One moment of distraction can be deadly. This April—and every day— AAA Hawaii urges drivers to stay alert, stay focused, and help save lives.