Supporting National Do Not Disturb While Driving Day

As we observe the third annual National Do Not Disturb While Driving Day today, October 17, 2024, it’s a critical reminder of how important it is to stay focused while driving. This day, recognized by the National Distracted Driving Coalition (NDDC), highlights a simple, life-saving feature many of us already have on our smartphones: Do Not Disturb While Driving. By silencing calls and notifications, this feature helps to eliminate distractions and keep our roads safer. We encourage every member of SADD Nation to check their phones and turn this feature on today.

As the Project Director for SADD’s Hispanic Distracted Driving and Walking Program, I’ve seen firsthand the unique challenges our communities face regarding distraction. Our Hispanic Youth Project is deeply committed to addressing these challenges in a way that reflects Hispanic youth's cultural values and experiences. Over the past year and a half, we’ve had the privilege of working with youth from five states, where seven SADD chapters have developed innovative programs to raise awareness of the dangers of distraction, whether behind the wheel or as pedestrians.

One of these exciting initiatives is the Distract-O-Trac relay competition, created by our chapters to teach their peers about the impact of distraction. Our simple message resonates deeply within the Hispanic youth community: Distractions can wait. Your safety can’t. It echoes the words of Steve Kiefer, whose son, Mitchel, lost his life to distracted driving. A simple action, like turning on DNDWD, could have saved Mitchel’s life—and it could save countless others.

So, let’s all take a moment to reflect on how we can do more, not only on Do Not Disturb While Driving Day but every day. To SADD Nation, I challenge you to lead by example. Show your peers how to set up Do Not Disturb While Driving on their smartphones. Talk to your friends and family about how easy it is to prevent distractions. Whether you’re driving or walking, stay focused and stay safe.

Let’s continue the incredible work our Hispanic SADD chapters have begun. To learn more about this work or the resources SADD has created as part of this project, click here. Together, we can change behaviors and protect lives by making safe driving and walking the norm in every community.

And remember, on October 17, do your part. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb and encourage others to do the same.

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For more resources on distracted driving prevention, check out sadd.org/programs

and check out the SADD + State Farm Agents of Change program and learn how to get your local State Farm volunteers involved in your change-making activities.