Slow Down and Stay Focused: OHS Kicks Off Spring BRAKE and Distracted Driving Awareness Month

DOVER, Del. (April 6, 2026) - The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is recognizing National Distracted Driving Awareness Month this April while also supporting the Spring BRAKE high-visibility enforcement campaign aimed at reducing dangerous driving behaviors during the busy spring travel season.

National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Throughout April, OHS will participate in National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, supporting law enforcement partners statewide to crack down on distracted driving and raise awareness about its deadly consequences.

Distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of crashes on Delaware roadways. Law enforcement agencies will conduct targeted patrols and enforcement efforts to remind drivers that distracted driving is both illegal and dangerous.

OHS is supporting the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's message: Eyes Forward. Don't Drive Distracted. This national campaign encourages drivers to stay focused behind the wheel and take personal responsibility for roadway safety.

Although distracted driving is often underreported, it is found that in Delaware, 58% of distracted driving crashes occur in New Castle County, compared to 26% in Sussex County and 16% in Kent County. More than half (52%) of these crashes happen between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

"Distracted driving continues to be one of the most preventable causes of crashes on our roadways. During National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, we're reminding all drivers that no message, call, or notification is worth a life. Stay focused, keep your eyes on the road, and do your part to keep Delaware safe," said Jackie McDermott, Senior Traffic Safety Program Manager at the Delaware Office of Highway Safety.

Spring BRAKE Enforcement Initiative

From April 9 through April 12, OHS is partnering with state and local law enforcement agencies to conduct a data-driven, high-visibility enforcement mobilization focused on aggressive driving, reckless driving, speeding, and other key behavioral traffic safety contributors to serious injury and fatal crashes.

Enforcement efforts will target drivers engaging in dangerous behaviors such as excessive speeding, unsafe passing, and failure to obey traffic control devices, particularly during peak travel times associated with spring break.

Data shows:

• The highest number of speed-related crashes occurs between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• 45% of speed-related crashes take place on roadways with speed limits of 50 mph or higher
• Friday through Sunday are the most dangerous days for fatal speed-related crashes
• Drivers aged 19 and younger-particularly males-are the most frequent contributors to speed-related crashes

OHS reminds all motorists that safe driving is a shared responsibility. Plan ahead, avoid distractions, obey speed limits, and always keep your focus on the road.

For more information on traffic safety and distracted driving prevention, visit ArriveAliveDE.com or NHTSA.gov/DistractedDriving.

About the Delaware Office of Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware's motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues, such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. FAQs can be found at ArriveAliveDE.com. Follow OHS on the Delaware Office of Highway Safety website, Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

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Media Contact:

Delaware Office of Highway Safety

Caitlin Reed

[email protected]

302-744-2746