The West Virginia Parkways Authority and Encova Insurance are working together to promote Safe Phone Zones where drivers can stop to use their mobile devices safely while traveling the Turnpike.

Safe Phone Zones are part of a joint effort to curb distracted driving on West Virginia’s highways. Distracted driving is a national epidemic that affects drivers of all ages, especially teens and commercial drivers. Distracted drivers are a danger to everyone on the road.

§        At any given moment across the U.S., approximately 660,000 drivers are using or manipulating electronic devices while driving.

§        Distracted driving claimed 2,841 lives in 2018 alone. Among those killed were 1,730 drivers, 605 passengers, 400 pedestrians and 77 bicyclists.

Safe Phone Zones have the potential to prevent these types of accidents and save lives. Motorists are invited to stop and use their mobile devices safely at Safe Phone Zones located at rest areas, travel plazas, and welcome and cultural centers along the Turnpike.

As the 36^th state to make handheld cell phone use a primary offense, West Virginia stands behind initiatives to combat distracted driving that make the Turnpike safer for all drivers. Encova Insurance rewards drivers with excellent driving records–and that means no driving distracted!