It’s Time For A Hands Free NC!

April Is Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

Our Vision

All North Carolinians getting where they are going safely.

While North Carolina has a dynamic community of issue-specific transportation safety advocates, what was missing was one organization with expertise in conducting high-impact public communications efforts, providing effective grassroots and grasstops citizen engagement, and serving to champion public policies that promote better behaviors to combat perils to safety across all forms and manner of transportation.

The North Carolina Alliance for Safe Transportation (NCAST) was created to be that organization, with one goal in mind: reduce the number of transportation-related crashes, injuries and fatalities in North Carolina.

Our Mission

To drive behaviors that promote and encourage safe use of North Carolina’s transportation network.

A major focus of NCAST is promoting awareness of safety issues specific to younger motorists.

Teen drivers are especially at risk on the roads, with vehicle crashes the leading cause of death in America among those under 21.

The inexperience and impulsiveness of teen drivers is a significant reason for their high crash rates, making important the safety features of the vehicles they drive as well as getting plenty of supervised driving practice.

IN THE NEWS

As Seen on: Spectrum News

Teen Ambassador Trey Laurore explains why it’s important to him to make sure his friends and classmates understand the basics of being safe behind the wheel …

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Is Nine Months Long Enough?

In this WECT segment, NCAST Executive Director Joe Stewart reinforces what data consistently shows: the more experience teen drivers have, the safer they’ll drive.

VIEW STORY

Stay up to Speed on Travel Safety

Our free monthly email newsletter provides a quick review of the latest traffic safety news and events— both in North Carolina and from across the country…

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Events & Initiatives

2026 Sweethearts of Safety

Our 4th annual Sweethearts of Safety Awards Luncheon in Raleigh honored exceptional leaders who have dedicated their time to making travel in North Carolina safer.

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NCAST Highlight Reel

Watch to learn about our mission and how we make an impact—promoting safe driving habits, saving lives, and reducing traffic-related injuries in NC…

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Funding for Wildlife Crossings

Wildlife crashes cost over $10 billion and 200 lives in the U.S. every year. Wildlife crossings are a cost-effective solution that help protect animals drivers from collisions…

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SPOTLIGHT:

DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation system — anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to assess your driving behaviors and take responsibility for the choices you make when behind the wheel.

Never text or message while driving.
Keep your hands on the steering wheel – put down your phone.
Be a good passenger and encourage the driver to avoid distractions.

DEATHS INVOLVING DISTRACTED DRIVING CRASHES DURING 2023

INJURIES INVOLVING DISTRACTED DRIVING CRASHES DURING 2023

%

of all reported 2023 crashes involved distraction

Minimizing the negative societal and personal impact of distracted driving starts with a commitment from each of us to stop, think and be as safe behind the wheel as we can possibly be. Click below to learn more and take the NHSTA phone-free pledge.