Cell phone use, texting and other activities that don’t contribute to safe driving are all forms of
distracted driving. In 49 states, including Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana
Islands and the Virgin Islands, texting while driving is illegal. According to NHTSA, in 2022 there were
3,308 people killed and an estimated additional 289,310 people injured in traffic crashes involving
distracted drivers. However, data collection limitations show that these figures are likely lower than the
real figures.

Distracted driving, mainly cell phone use, remains a major contributor to serious and fatal crashes. It is
dangerous, it is illegal, and it puts everyone on the road at risk. Our officers will increase enforcement
and stop and ticket anyone who is texting and driving. If you drive distracted, you will face the
consequences.

Violating Arkansas’s distracted-driving laws can be costly.
Safe driving can be adopted by these phone-free driving habits:

•  Pull over and park in a safe location before using the phone to send or read a text message.
•  Ask a passenger to be the “designated texter” and allow them to manage calls and messages
• during the drive.
• Avoid social media scrolling and any form of messaging while behind the wheel.
•  Use “Do Not Disturb” mode to silence notifications.
• Drivers can put their phone in the trunk, glove box or back seat of the vehicle to break the habit
• of driving distracted.

For more information on distracted driving, visit NHTSA.gov/Distracted.