FAIRFAX, Va. — On Sunday, November 17, communities around the world will pause to honor the millions of people killed or seriously injured in road traffic crashes for World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. Today in Northern Virginia, the National Distracted Driving Coalition (NDDC) gathered families, advocates, and community members at Green Spring Gardens to remember those lost and to call for urgent action to stop preventable tragedies on our roads.

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In the United States, distracted driving continues to devastate families and communities. While official reports still dramatically underestimate the role of distracted driving in crashes, a recent NHTSA study estimated that 12,405 people were killed due to distracted driving in 2021. That is the equivalent of 34 lives lost every single day. Millions more suffer life‑changing injuries.

Behind every statistic is a family shattered by loss. A family with a story of a future stolen. On this day, we remember not only the victims but also the loved ones who carry their memory forward with courage and grace. Their stories represent thousands more families facing the same unimaginable heartbreak each year. We also recognize the survivors whose lives have been forever altered by a driver’s reckless decision to drive distracted, and the emotional consequences of first responders who are forever changed by experiences rescuing victims and recovering remains.

A Call to Action

In honor of the lives lost, the NDDC is urging every driver to take one immediate step: Turn on “Do Not Disturb While Driving” mode on your phone. This simple act stops notifications while driving, reducing temptation and preventing crashes. It’s available on all iPhones and Android devices. Resources and how‑to instructions are available at https://usnddc.org/news/dndwd-day/.

 Voices for Change

“Since losing my mother to a distracted driver, I have stood with thousands of families across the country who are living with the same grief,” said Jennifer Smith, Founder of StopDistractions.org and NDDC steering committee member. “We are not just statistics… we are mothers, fathers, children, friends. 12,405 lives lost due to distraction is a national tragedy. Honor them by choosing to protect others. Turn on Do Not Disturb while driving. Someone’s life depends on it.”

“Tristan, my 6-month-old son, was killed when we were run over in a crosswalk near our home by a distracted driver,” said Mindy Schulz. “That moment cleaved my life in two forever. Before. And after. One decision. One text. One moment of impatience. One moment of lost presence. That’s all it takes to destroy everything. Using “Do Not Disturb” is a gift to those around you and to yourself, and that decision can help protect the precious moments you are given. I wish my son had gotten more of his own. Be still. Be present. Be love. For Tristan, and each other.”

“Ever since I survived a driver of an SUV crashing into me as I was legally more than halfway through a crosswalk, my life as well as my wife’s life has been inexorably affected,” said Mike Doyle, founder of Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets. “If the driver of the SUV had just looked into the turn as he was turning left, the whole crash could have been avoided. The driver said afterwards that he was distracted by trying to be sure that he could get ahead of a truck driver opposite him at the intersection. He never bothered to look where his 5,000 pound vehicle was headed.”

“My mother isn’t here anymore to share in the holiday season or watch her grandbabies grow because one person made the choice to text while driving,” said Meredith Spies. “When you get behind the wheel, consider how it would feel to be missing your loved one. Don’t text and drive.”

“I don’t want what happened to my family to happen to anyone else,” said Mike Drury, who survived a distracted driving crash that took his mother’s life and left him with a Traumatic Brain Injury. “I’m not the same person I was before August 13, 2011. Not many people get a chance to start life over. I did, and I know the reason why I’m still alive — to help make the roads safer for us all. By doing something as simple as turning on Do Not Disturb While Driving.”

“Every life lost to distracted driving is a preventable tragedy,” said Kristin Pettway, Executive Director of DRIVE SMART Virginia and NDDC steering committee member. “By honoring those we’ve lost and recognizing the strength and resilience of crash survivors, we can turn remembrance into action through safer driving habits and greater awareness. Enabling the Do Not Disturb feature on your phone is a simple, yet effective step toward saving lives on our roads and keeping families whole.”

These stories fuel the Coalition’s mission to end distracted driving through education, advocacy, enforcement, research, and technology.

This WDOR the Coalition encourages drivers to:

• Put phones away and focus solely on driving
• Enable Do Not Disturb While Driving – available on Android and iPhones
• Speak up when you see others driving distracted

Together we can turn remembrance into action and start a movement toward safer roads for all. For more information and resources, visit usnddc.org.

Resources available

Information on Do Not Disturb While Driving, including free graphics and how-to videos

Downloadable Reports from the NDDC

NDDC Action Plan