Snake handlers, rodeo bullfighters and distracted driving?

PHOENIX – Snake handlers. Rodeo bullfighters. High-rise window cleaners. Electrical line techs who rappel from helicopters. These are the stars of the Arizona Department of Transportation’s distracted driving public awareness campaign, “Distracted Drivers Terrify Me.”

This isn’t a random collection of people. No, these professionals were chosen specifically because they perform jobs that many find full of danger, like wrangling venomous snakes, one-ton charging bulls and vertigo-inducing heights. But what scares these fearless people?

Distracted drivers.

ADOT worked with these professionals to produce a series of public service announcement spots for TV, radio and social media. The thirty-second spots are being broadcast on Arizona television and radio stations in English and Spanish as part of ADOT’s agreement with the Arizona Broadcasters Association, and shared on ADOT’s robust social media platforms.

Campaign information and PSA videos can be found at azdot.gov/terrify.

The aim of the “Distracted Drivers Terrify Me” campaign is to influence the behavior of drivers, resulting in fewer drivers engaging in terrifying distractions and making roads safer for everyone.

Every year in Arizona, distracted driving causes crashes that result in serious injuries and fatalities that are entirely preventable. In 2019, at least 10,491 drivers involved in crashes were engaged in distracted driving behavior. Traffic safety stakeholders believe this figure is actually much higher, however, because distracted driving is underreported because drivers often don’t admit to being distracted or died in the crash.

The use of hand-held mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets, while driving is banned in Arizona. On all Arizona roadways, it is illegal for drivers to talk or text on a device that isn’t engaged in hands-free mode.