Governor Proclaims Buckle Up Phone Down Day 2023

WHEREAS, the safety and security of North Carolina residents is vitally important; and

WHEREAS, the total number of crashes caused by cell phone usage in North Carolina for 2022 was 1,263, with 11 of those being fatalities; and

WHEREAS, in 2022, 17.3 percent of the crashes in North Carolina involved a distracted driver; the data collected may not reflect the true severity of the issue due to driver distraction being self-reporting; and

WHEREAS, within the last five years, a total of 6,683 crashes have occurred, and of these crashes, a total of 31 have resulted in fatalities; and

WHEREAS, even the most attentive drivers are involved in a crash caused by other drivers; wearing a seat belt every time you enter a vehicle is your best defense against injury and death; and

WHEREAS, it is known that two of the best ways to prevent a serious vehicle crash is for everyone in the vehicle to buckle up and avoid talking on or using a phone while driving; and

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina encourages everyone to educate themselves of the dangers of driver distractions, and practice buckling up and putting the phone down;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim October 25, 2023, as “BUCKLE UP PHONE DOWN DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.