Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. has declared April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month in the U.S. Virgin Islands, highlighting an ongoing initiative to reduce roadway injuries and fatalities caused by inattentive driving, the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety announced.
Distracted driving led to 3,821 crashes, 556 injuries, and two deaths in fiscal year 2024, based on data from Report Beam. The most common contributing factors included failure to maintain a safe distance, failure to yield, lane departures, illegal median crossings, and use of handheld devices while driving, according to the press release.
“This proclamation is not just a call to action – it’s a commitment to protecting every person on our roads,” said Daphne O’Neal, director of the Virgin Islands Office of Highway Safety. “No text, call, or distraction is worth a life. We must all work together to shift the culture around distracted driving and encourage safe habits behind the wheel. Every injury and every life lost is one too many.”
Throughout April, the Virgin Islands Police Department and the Office of Highway Safety will conduct community outreach, digital campaigns, and enforcement operations to raise awareness. Drivers are encouraged to avoid phone use, eating, or any behavior that diverts attention from the road, the press release stated.
Officials emphasized that distracted driving poses a risk not only to motorists but also to passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists. The campaign’s message is clear: “Stay Focused, Stay Safe — Just Drive!”
For more information or to request a traffic safety presentation, visit www.vipd.vi.gov or contact Director O’Neal at daphne.oneal@vipd.vi.gov.
