With the number one cause of unintentional deaths in the United States being car crashes, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command's safety officer educated Sailors and civilians about the dangers of distracted driving during April's Distracted Driving Awareness Month, April 15.

Peter Bustanoby, NECC safety officer is educating the expeditionary forces within the Type Command about the dangers of driving while distracted -- car crashes are the number one cause of unintentional deaths in U.S. -- and added, about 100 people die every day in U.S. car crashes.

"Thousands have died in car crashes involving cell phone use," said Bustanoby. "New technology allows us to make phone calls, dictate texts or emails and update social media while driving -- all actions that are proven to increase crash risk."

Bustanoby added, safety observances each month provide opportunities for real change.

"I encourage all of our forces to take time this month and really every month of the year to concentrate on distracted driving habits and work towards developing safer strategies in navigating while driving on our roadways," said Bustanoby.

While April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, in May, Bustanoby said from May 2-6 NECC and other Navy commands will observe the Annual Occupational Safety and Health Administration National Safety Stand-Down to prevent falls in the workplace.

"This standdown is primarily for units of action working at height, but we will also provide awareness to avoid slips, trips and falls and walking working surfaces safely," said Bustanoby.

NECC is an enduring warfighting force providing sea-to-shore and inland operating environment capabilities across the full range of military operations that is focused on delivering combat effective expeditionary forces ready for worldwide operations now and into the future.

For more news from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command , visit www.navy.mil/