AAA Washington Targets Teens in New Campaign to Curb Distracted Driving

In recognition of Distracted Driving Month in April, AAA Washington is teaming up with Bellevue native and Safe Drive Club founder Ishika Binu. Together, they are launching a “Don’t Drive Distracted” campaign to promote safe driving habits and encourage teens to reduce distractions while behind the wheel. 

While cell phones might seem like the biggest danger for distracted driving, the greatest risk to teens is actually driving with friends. Research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows that when a teen driver has only teen passengers in a vehicle, the fatality rate for people involved in a crash increases by 51 percent. 

“We are proud to partner with Ishika and the Safe Drive Club to advance our shared vision for a safer Washington,” said Laura Ray, vice president of corporate affairs and environmental, social and governance at AAA Washington. “Change starts with the next generation, and Ishika’s dedication to promoting road safety, especially among beginner drivers, injects a fresh and relatable perspective into our efforts.”  

After she was involved in a driving accident, Binu established the Safe Drive Club as an online platform to motivate drivers to commit to distraction-free driving. The partnership with AAA Washington aims to harness the power of Ishika’s personal journey and advocacy to make Washington roads safer by engaging and educating teens and young adults about the risks and consequences of inattentive driving. 

According to data from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, 62% of Washington drivers say they do not read or look at their cellphones while driving.  However, distracted driving can come in many forms, from checking out Mt. Rainier while heading south on I-5, to fiddling with the radio, to driving with a dog in your lap. In collaboration with AAA Washington, Binu hopes to elevate the conversation around the importance of single-tasking behind the wheel. 

“Teaming up with AAA Washington is like getting the best co-pilot for the journey to safer roads,” said Safe Drive Club Founder Ishika Binu. “I’m excited to partner with an organization that has a history of road safety to address the challenges of distracted driving and create a culture of attentiveness and responsibility among drivers of all ages.” 

Ishika, Safe Drive Club and AAA Washington are working together to spread the message of “Don’t Drive Distracted” throughout Washington communities, especially those most at risk, like younger drivers. They aim to transform driving culture, making attentive and responsible driving the norm rather than the exception. 

For more information and resources on how to drive safely, please visit https://wa.aaa.com. To take the DriveSafe Pledge, please visit https://safedrive.club/take-the-pledge/