Ever try driving down one of West Virginia’s back roads (or I-77 south of Charleston, for that matter) and NOT keeping your eyes glued to the road and both hands on the steering wheel? It is not advised. And we’re used to it. Watch what happens to someone from, for example, Florida when they hit the turnpike and their knuckles go white.

Driving here is not for the faint of heart. And it is not for anyone who is distracted, either.

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and a good time to remember there is no place where it is safe to drive distracted, but the Mountain State provides an especially spectacular range of risks and obstacles.

“Distracted driving has become one of the most dangerous risks on the nation’s roads, endangering not only the distracted motorist, but also passengers, pedestrians and other motorists,” said Theresa Podguski, director of legislative affairs, AAA East Central. “Any distraction, whether it’s texting or talking to a passenger, takes a motorist’s attention away from the road and can have deadly consequences.”

Throw in eating a fast food meal and fishing for the last fries in the bag, or even glancing at the GPS screen when the virtual assistant isn’t giving your turn-by-turn quickly enough, and it’s hard to keep an eye on the approaching turn or the deer leaping toward the roadway.

AAA reminds “Don’t drive intoxicated; don’t drive intexticated,” but also has a less catchy list of reminders for drivers. Put aside electronic devices; prepare GPS systems, seats, mirrors, climate controls and sound systems before hitting the road; don’t do makeup or hair while driving; stay focused — scan and watch for pedestrians, cyclists, other vehicles and wildlife; secure items, children and pets; be mindful of passengers, and on the other hand be a good passenger who offers to assist rather than distract.

This is a wild and wonderful place to drive. Keep your hands on the wheel, and your eyes (and mind) on the road so you can continue to enjoy it for many years to come.