Jefferson City, Mo. - In recognition of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Missouri Department of Insurance wants to remind Missourians to keep their eyes on the road when getting behind the wheel. In 2014 the department launched its MO Eyes on the Road campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.

"Distracted driving impacts us all in some way," said Director John M. Huff. "The consequences can be dire, both financially and physically. We need to all take responsibility for our actions and when we get behind the wheel, keep our eyes on the road."

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, distracted driving caused nearly 7,000 auto accidents and 17 fatalities during the spring months last year.

During that same time, the Highway Patrol reported there were nearly 43,000 total accidents in Missouri. Of those, about 25 percent involved a driver who was 21 or younger; 52 were fatalities.

The department urges everyone to keep their eyes on the road. Parents and teens can fill out a teen driver contract at MOEyesontheRoad.com to commit to no more distracted driving. The department is also visiting high schools and colleges to spread the message. If your school is interested in having a representative of the department give a presentation about the distracted driving campaign, please visit the department's website.

Take the pledge and get information at MOEyesontheRoad.com.