The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and Drive Smart Virginia are urging Virginians to stay focused while driving this holiday season as part of their “Your Presence is the Real Present” campaign. The initiative encourages drivers to buckle up and avoid distractions to ensure they arrive safely. 

Drive Smart Virginia, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting safe driving habits, recently commissioned a poll that revealed concerning statistics about distracted driving in the state. Sixty-six percent of respondents admitted to driving distracted in the past six months, and 22% regularly use smartphones without hands-free mode while driving. However, 83% of Virginians consider smartphone use behind the wheel without hands-free mode to be extremely or very dangerous. 

“As we approach the holiday season, it’s crucial to recognize that using a handheld device behind the wheel, is not just a bad habit — it’s an epidemic. Just as we treat addiction with urgency, we must address this deadly behavior, because distracted driving is taking lives,” said DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey. 

Preliminary data for 2024 shows 87 people have been killed in distracted driving crashes, including 13 fatalities linked to drivers using cell phones. Despite 83% of drivers acknowledging the dangers of phone use while driving, 66% continue to drive distracted. 

“Distracted driving is particularly frustrating because, as our recent poll reveals, people recognize its dangers yet still engage in it,” said Kristin Pettway, executive director of Drive Smart Virginia. “We work closely with many families who have experienced the devastating consequences of distracted driving. It can happen to anyone. Stay focused on the road—lives depend on it.” 

One of the families affected by distracted driving is that of Karen Giles, whose daughter Meredith Spies has become an advocate for raising awareness. “My mother, Karen Giles, was killed by a man texting and driving a dump truck. We’ve lost our mom, grandmomma, dedicated EMT instructor and firefighter all because of one person’s decision to drive distracted,” Spies said. “When tempted to pick up the phone while driving, remember our story and don’t be the one responsible for the death of another beloved family member.” 

To prevent distracted driving during the holiday season, drivers are advised to connect their phones to their car’s Bluetooth or hands-free system and activate the “Do Not Disturb While Driving” setting. It is also recommended to set music and directions before starting a trip, and ask passengers to send text messages if necessary. If a message or call needs to be made and cannot be done hands-free, drivers should pull over to a safe location. Additionally, wearing a seatbelt remains one of the most effective ways to protect oneself in case of a crash. 

For more information on how to avoid distractions while driving, visit Drive Smart Virginia at drivesmartva.org and the Virginia DMV at dmv.virginia.gov.