In April, Patch sites in the Hudson Valley launched a "No Texting While Driving Campaign." The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness about distracted driving, to educate the public about the dangers of this behavior and to encourage motorists to put their cell phones away when they are behind the wheel.

Because this issue is so important, Patch also has created a list of tips for drivers to ensure that they aren't distracted when they are on the road.

Here are Patch's tips to becoming a safer driver:

7 Tips for Driving Undistracted

1. Keep the phone out of arms reach. Put it in your glove compartment or leave it in your purse, which you can put in your backseat.
2. Turn off your phone when you’re driving. If you don’t hear it ring, you can’t pick it up.
3. Download anti-texting software on your phone. Several companies, including ZoomSafer and iZup, have created software that prevents drivers from picking up or receiving calls or text messages while they drive.
4. Don’t text or call others when you know they are driving. Parents often call their teenagers to make sure they are safe on the road or have safely reached their destination. But calling or texting them while they are driving may cause them to be distracted.
5. Have a designated “texter” while driving. If you have a friend or passenger in the car with you, have them answer the phone or respond to a text message.
6. Remember that distracted driving is just as bad as drunk driving. Several studies have shown that texting while driving impairs your driving ability in the same way that alcohol does.
7. Imagine—imagine the pedestrians and passengers in the other cars are people you know and love. Would you want a distracted driver on the road if your loved ones were there? Also, driving distracted with passengers in your car puts their lives at risk as well as yours. It also sets an example that you don’t want others to mimic.