April is designated as Distracted Driving Month by the National Safety Council, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB). The Washington Police Department and Louisa County Sheriff’s Office are joining the campaigns hosted by these organizations to curb distracted driving. 

According to the NHTSA, nearly 16,000 people were killed and 1.8 million people were injured in distraction-affected crashes from 2018-2022. The GTSB reports that in 2024, Iowa saw a 70% increase in traffic deaths related to distracted driving compared to the five year average. The statewide campaign in Iowa is dubbed: No One’s a Good Distracted Driver; Save the Streaming for the Sofa, and Even Texters and Drivers Hate Texters and Drivers. The national program is labeled: Don’t Drive Distracted; Eyes Forward. Both agencies will have extra patrols during the month of April to enhance enforcement. Starting July 1st, Iowa will also adopt a hands-free or voice-activated only device policy.