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Put the Phone Away or Pay

About

Enforcement

Put the Phone Away or Pay is a national high-visibility enforcement campaign that runs during a specific time of the year. The campaign reminds drivers of the deadly dangers and the legal consequences of distracted driving and is supported by increased law enforcement.

Put the Phone Away or Pay is a new tagline that launches on April 1, 2024, and should not be referenced or used in press/marketing material until then. This tagline replaces U Drive. U Text. U Pay.

Key Dates for National Mobilization

  • Enforcement: April 4-8, 2024
  • Paid Media: April 1-8, 2024
  • Earned Media: February 1, 2024
     

Talking Points

We've prepared talking points related to this campaign. After downloading, we encourage you to add local stats and facts to the document. 

Earned Media

We've produced sample news releases that can be used for media outreach.

Facts

National statistics related to this topic are available in our Distracted Driving section.

Message Boards

PUT THE

PHONE AWAY

OR PAY

NEVER DRIVE

DISTRACTED

IT IS THE LAW

NO DISTRACTIONS

PAY ATTENTION

OR PAY THE FINE

EYES ON

THE ROAD

NOT THE PHONE

Live Reads

We've produced live reads that can be used on radio. There are multiple lengths available. 

Social Media

This social media playbook contains sample social media content in English and Spanish. Download this guide for instructions on posting the below playbook graphics to Facebook, X and Instagram. The content is designed for easy posting and seamless integration into your current social media strategy.

Additional sample social media posts are also available for download.

Graphics

Asset Type

English | Static
Phone Personalities | Static 1600x900
Phone Personalities | Static 1200x1200 | Facebook, X, Instagram
English | Animated
Phone Personalities | Animated 1200x1200 | Facebook, X, Instagram
Phone Personalities | Animated 1080x1920 | Vertical Video
Spanish | Static
Three | Static 1200x1200 | Facebook, X, Instagram
Spanish | Animated
Three | Animated 1200x1200 | Facebook, X, Instagram

All social media platforms accept 1200x1200 graphics. If you need additional sizes send a request to Feedback-TSM@dot.gov

Ads

Asset Type

Video | English
Distraction | Enforcement | Phone Personalities TV & Digital | :30, :15, :06 Available by Request
Video | Spanish
Distraction | Enforcement | Meme del Gato Portavoz | Spanish TV & Digital | :30, :15, :06 Available by Request
Audio | English
Phone Personalities :30
Audio | Spanish
Meme del Gato Portavoz | Spanish :30
Banner | English
Night Lighter | Static 7 Sizes
Night Lighter | Animated 7 Sizes | HTML
Sneak-a-Peeker | Static 7 Sizes
Sneak-a-Peeker | Animated 7 Sizes | HTML
Banner | Spanish
Consequences | Static 7 Sizes
Consequences | Animated 7 Sizes | HTML

If a video is noted as Available by Request, it is not available for immediate download. A state may submit a request to NHTSA and the ad can be retagged with their stage logo.

Note: No one may alter, edit, or change a NHTSA TV ad or web video.

Media Plans

NHTSA supports a national distracted driving law enforcement mobilization during April. 

The Media Work Plan provides an overview of the research and trends that inform NHTSA's national paid media plan for the campaign. The Media Buy Summary provides an overview of the media channels, media partner selection and tactics that will be activated to reach the target audience.

Reports

Future Dates

2025

  • Enforcement: April 10-14, 2025
  • Paid Media: April 7-14, 2025
  • Earned Media: February 7, 2025

2026

  • Enforcement: April 9-13, 2026
  • Paid Media: April 6-13, 2026
  • Earned Media: February 9, 2026
     

Additional Resources