April marks Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and General Motors uses the opportunity to emphasize a simple premise: preventing accidents starts with driver behavior. The automaker continues to invest in in-vehicle technology and public outreach aimed at reducing distracted driving, a persistent and measurable risk on American roads.
The data underscores the urgency. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 3,200 people died in 2024 crashes involving distracted drivers, and more than 315,000 people were reported injured. Research from the National Institutes of Health shows the risk of a crash increases two to six times when drivers are using their cell phones, and as much as nine times when attention is turned away from the road.
GM engineer Dan Glaser put the problem well: “A glance from the road, if not timely, can be fatal.” The guidance reflects a broader strategy – limiting glances beyond the road and prioritizing sustained attention ahead.
On the product side, most 2026 GM vehicles include a hands-free feature designed to reduce distractions. Voice commands allow drivers to control navigation, climate and media settings without taking their hands off the wheel. Bluetooth calling is standard across the range. The more advanced system builds on the foundations established by Super Cruise, which introduced driver monitoring as a core safety function.
The same approach is conveyed by Driver Attention Assist, which was introduced on select models and updated to version 2.0 in 2025. Using cameras and sensors, the system detects signs of distraction or drowsiness and responds with alerts, chimes or seat vibrations. In more severe cases, this can slow the vehicle to a stop and contact OnStar for assistance.
GM is pairing this technology with behavior guidance. Drivers are advised to keep cell phones, pre-set navigation, and put away important items before departure. Glaser also notes that passengers share responsibility: speaking up when a driver appears distracted can prevent escalation.
In addition to vehicles, GM has committed more than $40 million over the past two years to highway safety initiatives, working with organizations such as the Governors Highway Safety Association and the National Safety Council. These efforts have helped achieve approximately 700,000 public pledges to reduce distracted driving.
Glaser offers a final reminder with practical weight: “Put it away, focus on driving, and show them that nothing is more important on screen than everyone getting home safe and sound.”
SUBSCRIBE TO GM AUTHORITY
We’ll send you an email or two a day with the latest GM news coverage. It’s completely free.
