The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation joins the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in recognizing April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and reminds all motorists that driving is a skill that requires their undivided attention.

Distracted driving is any action that draws attention away from the safe operation of a vehicle. There are three types of driver distractions: visual, causing drivers to take their eyes off the road; manual, causing drivers to take their hands off the wheel; and cognitive, causing drivers to take their mind off the road.

One dangerous activity that involves all three types of distraction - texting - has been addressed through the state’s anti-texting law, which took effect in March 2012. The law prohibits text-based communication while driving and makes texting while driving a primary offense carrying a $50 fine.

To help avoid distractions while driving, PennDOT recommends drivers follow these safety tips:

• Store or turn off cell phones while driving. If you must make an emergency call, safely pull over to the side of the road.

• If traveling alone, set your GPS, radio and temperature controls before beginning your trip.

• If traveling with pets, be sure that they are properly restrained. Better yet, leave them at home. Even a minor crash can result in a major injury to a pet if it is not properly restrained.

• Never operate your vehicle and attend to a child at the same time.

• If you drop an object while driving, leave it until you reach your destination or pull over safely to the side of the road before retrieving it.