Preventing Distracted Driving in McLean
By Amy Griggs, Tysons Trial Law, PLLC
It only takes a glance. A driver checks a text at a red light on International Road. A parent adjusts the GPS while navigating rush-hour traffic on the way to Lewinsville Park. A teen scrolls a playlist on their phone. With one glance, lives can be changed forever.
Distractions Include More Than Texting
When most people think of distracted driving, texting is the first thought. Distraction comes in many forms: eating a sandwich in the car, reaching for a water bottle, or looking in the backseat to soothe a restless child. In McLean and Northern Virginia, traffic is heavy and drivers are often multitasking. Even a momentary lapse in attention to the road can be catastrophic.
According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Highway Safety Office publication 2024 Virginia Traffic Crash Facts:
- Virginia saw 20,758 crashes involving distracted drivers in 2024.
- 90 fatalities occurred in 2024 from distracted driving — a 40.6% increase from 2023.
- The top three distracted driving categories were:
- Eyes not on the road
- Cell phone/texting
- Looking at a roadside incident
Fairfax County accounted for 6,989 distracted driving collisions in 2024 — 34% of the state total. Fifteen distracted driving fatalities occurred in Fairfax County in 2024, comprising 17% of the state total.
Who Is Most at Risk?
- Teens: Inexperience combined with constant phone use creates a dangerous mix.
- Parents: Juggling carpools, work calls, and restless kids in the car divides attention.
- Commuters: Long hours on the road lead to fatigue, “zoning out,” and carelessness.
No one is immune from the risks of distracted driving.
The Cost to Families and Communities
The ripple effects of distracted driving are immense. Families face:
- Physical recoveries from injuries
- Financial burdens of medical bills and property damage
- Significant emotional trauma
Medical bills accumulate, time away from work adds financial stress, and ongoing care needs can span years.
Beyond family impacts, the community pays too:
- Insurance premiums rise regardless of payouts in collisions
- Roads are clogged with each crash
- Schools and workplaces feel the loss when students and employees can’t return as planned
Crashes aren’t isolated events. The societal impact is far-reaching.
Prevention Starts at Home
The most effective prevention is also the simplest: set boundaries.
Tips for families and parents:
- Keep phones out of reach while driving
- Establish phone-free zones in the car
- Create a “drop zone” (like the glovebox) for phones
- Use apps to silence notifications while driving
- Avoid distractions from CarPlay or other screens
- Use voice commands whenever possible
- Set GPS before driving
- Avoid eating behind the wheel
- Pull over safely if children need attention
Tips for teens:
- Use driving modes on phones
- Do not drive with headphones or earbuds
- Let passengers control music and texts
- Practice “defensive focus” by spotting other distracted drivers
Tips for workplaces:
- Discourage colleagues from answering calls on the road
- Never attend Zoom meetings while driving
- Create a culture that prioritizes safety over multitasking
When the Worst Happens
Even with caution, distracted driving collisions are increasing. If your family is affected, follow these steps:
- Call the police and file a formal report
- Seek immediate medical care
- Document the scene (photos, witness names, vehicle conditions)
- Report the collision to your insurance, but do not give a recorded statement without legal help
Families deserve an advocate to hold distracted drivers accountable and secure recovery resources.
At Tysons Trial Law, we’ve seen how distracted driving can have catastrophic results in seconds. Our mission is to help families recover after these tragedies and to remind our community that every focused mile brings us closer to safe roads for all.
