FIREFIGHTERS AND EMS PROVIDERS don’t always think about distracted driving when they are planning prevention education. With the focus typically on smoke alarms, home fire safety, and when to call 911, it’s easy to overlook risky behaviors on the road. The problem is distracted driving remains a critical issue on our roads, leading to countless accidents, injuries, and fatalities each year. The risk of distracted driving has a direct impact on both the community and the responders who serve that community.
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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 3,308 lives in 2022. The Emergency Responder Safety Institute reported that 45 first responders were killed in 2023 from struck-by incidents. Emergency responders can play a vital role in addressing this problem through education and awareness campaigns. By implementing a variety of educational activities, first responders can work with their communities to reduce the incidence of distracted driving, promote safer driving habits, and save lives.1, 2
Traffic Incident Management Practices
To educate the public on safe driving practices, first responders must understand proper traffic incident management (TIM) practices. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, TIM consists of “a planned and coordinated multidisciplinary process to detect, respond to, and clear traffic incidents so that traffic flow may be restored as safely and quickly as possible.” By first understanding TIM, the person educating the public can share correct information and answer any questions the public might have about approaching and passing an emergency scene on the roadway. TIM training is free and can be completed online or through the Federal Highway Administration. 3, 4, 5
Another important step to successfully educate others begins with understanding what distracted driving is. The NHTSA defines distracted driving as “any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment, or navigation system—anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.” Most states have laws against texting, talking on a cell phone, and other distractive behaviors while driving. Educators can learn more about the specific laws in their state by visiting the Governors Highway Safety Association.6, 7
Community Partnerships
Participating in existing community events is an effective way to spread the message about the dangers of distracted driving. Hold a brainstorming session with your fire department members to identify key community events and reach out to the planners to offer staff an information table, provide a poster display, or give a presentation on distracted driving. If you cannot attend these events, ask the planners if you can provide them with a short public service announcement to play during the event.
Connecting with local employers is another great way to reach your community. Ask local employers to implement distracted driving prevention initiatives for employees or offer to provide a lunch-and-learn session on distracted driving. During the lunch and learn, you can provide information about the statistics and dangers of distracted driving, show a video, or ask a victim to share a story. You can also use these opportunities to remind parents and grandparents of teens to have conversations with their young drivers on the dangers of distracted driving.
Encourage local employers to implement a policy requiring the use of hands-free devices and establish clear policies against texting while driving during work hours. For employers who don’t have an existing written policy, the National Safety Council offers a template you can provide to them.12
Empowering Youth-Led initiatives
Establishing a youth-led distracted driving initiative is a powerful prevention tool. Empowering youth to be the voice against distracted driving can be a particularly effective educational avenue. Students who have been educated on the facts and knowledge of distracted driving can be used as ambassadors to speak at school and community events. In 2019, the NHTSA published the Peer to Peer Teen Traffic Safety Program Guide, which examines the importance and benefit of investing in peer-led programing.13
Virtual Education
Use department social media to share statistics, images, and videos on distracted driving. Encourage others to share those posts and join the conversation on why it is important to refrain from distracted driving. Many organizations offer social media kits and resources that your department can use for virtual education, including the following:
- Emergency Responder Safety Institute.
- National Safety Council.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- International Association of Chiefs of Police.
A Multifaceted Approach
Preventing distracted driving requires a multifaceted approach, with education and community engagement at its core. By implementing a variety of educational activities and initiatives, communities can foster a culture of safety and responsibility on the roads. With the right approach, you can make a significant impact on reducing the incidences of distracted driving and saving lives.
REFERENCES
“Crash Responder Safety Week 2024: November 18-22.” National Operations Center of Excellence, 2024, bit.ly/3U6nk0V.
“Public Educators & PIOs.” Responder Safety, bit.ly/4eF80Aw.
“Put the Phone Away or Pay.” U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, bit.ly/484hVND.
“Social Media Kit for Distracted Driving Awareness Month.” National Safety Council, bit.ly/4eC0A1b.
“Traffic Safety Social Media Templates.” International Association of Chiefs of Police, theIACP.org.
“Welcome to Traffic Incident Management (TIM).” U.S. Department of Transporta tion Federa l Highway Administration, 3 Oct. 2024, bit.ly/3Y3bAgH.
“Yearly Fatality Reports.” Responder Safety, The Emergency Responder Safety Institute, 2024, bit.ly/3YhobOU.
The Dive-Really Scary Distracted Driving Prevention.” YouTube, uploaded by Ad Council, 24 Oct. 2023, bit.ly/3ZW4FJ3.
“Phone Personalities.” YouTube, uploaded by USDOTNHTSA, 1 Apr. 2024, bit.ly/3U287he.
“Liz Marks Texting & Driving Story.” YouTube, uploaded by USDOTNHTSA, 25 Apr. 2014, bit.ly/4eGUNaG.
“In Our Boots PSA: Joe Kroboth.” Responder Safety, The Emergency Responder Safety Institute, bit.ly/3BCqW4p.
“Leave Your Phone Alone.” Responder Safety, The Emergency Responder Safety Institute, bit.ly/3XXGDL7.
ENDNOTES
CANDICE McDONALD has two decades of experience as a firefighter, EMT, inspector, and instructor. She is the chief of NASA’s Protective Services Division at the John Glenn Research Center. She is a past president of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association, a past deputy CEO of the National Volunteer Fire Council, and a member of the Fire Engineering and FDIC Advisory Board. She has an associate’s degree in health and human services, a bachelor’s degree in organizational management, a master’s degree in organizational leadership, and a doctorate in business administration with a specialty in homeland security.
