For the past decade, distracted driving has taken U.S. roadways by storm, endangering not only distracted drivers, but also their passengers, those in other vehicles and pedestrians.

Talking, using your phone, adjusting the radio, applying makeup, eating or drinking can all distract you from the essential task of safe driving. Far too many drivers succumb to the deadly — and often illegal — temptation that has emerged as one of the most common forms of distracted driving — texting. 

Put Your Phone Away, or Get Ready to Pay

Forty-eight states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands, have passed laws making it illegal to text while driving.

This April, as a key part of NHTSA’s U Drive. U Text. U Pay. campaign, law enforcement will be hypervigilant, looking for distracted drivers and charging fines. Since 2007, drivers age 16-24 have been distracted by devices at higher rates than other drivers, but we're all at risk for distracted driving crashes. Consider these tips for safe driving:

• If you must send or receive a text, pull over to a safe location and park your car first.

• If you have passengers, appoint a “designated texter” to handle all your texting.

• If you can’t resist the temptation to look at it, keep your phone in the trunk.