Distracted driving is a pervasive problem on American roadways, and Indiana is among the states cracking down in recent years.

Why it matters: Around 3,300 people died nationwide in crashes attributed to distracted driving in 2022, while another 289,000 were injured, according to the latest National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data.

• More than 62,000 crashes involved distracted cellphone use in 2022 alone, NHTSA says.
• These stats likely underestimate the problem because crash data often relies on self-reporting, National Safety Council executive vice president of safety leadership and advocacy Mark Chung tells Axios.

Flashback: Indiana passed a law in 2020 prohibiting holding or using a mobile device while driving.

Reality check: The 2020 legislation has not curbed rising fatal highway crashes. Indiana recorded 897 highways fatalities in 2020, 932 in 2021 and 949 in 2022.

By the numbers: According to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI), police across the state issued 18,887 hands free citations in 2024, a new high and the third consecutive annual increase.

• 14,582 citations were issued in 2022, and 14,957 were issued in 2023.

Threat level: The Indiana Department of Transportation says on average, people who text and drive take their attention away from the road for five seconds at a time.

• At 55 mph, that is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field blindfolded.

State of play: As part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, Indiana law enforcement agencies spent two weeks in April participating in a traffic enforcement campaign focused on stopping distracted drivers and speeders.

• State officials say distracted driving and speeding caused more than 17,000 crashes and 230 deaths across Indiana in 2024.

Go deeper

The last days of the legislative session are a sprint where dozens of bills are passed, sometimes with substantive, never-before-seen additions, making it hard to keep track of everything that happens in those final 48 hours.

Zoom in: Here are five key K-12 education issues Indiana lawmakers tackled.

📚 Ethnic studies course requirement

Indiana high schools will no longer have to offer an ethnic studies course.

Driving the news: The requirement, in place since 2017, was repealed as part of a last-minute change to House Bill 1002, an education deregulation bill.

• Sen. Jeff Raatz, R-Martinsville, said the ethnic studies elective was removed at the request of the Indiana Department of Education to comply with federal prohibitions on "race-based discrimination."

What they're saying: "They're concerned about losing $1 billion that comes to Indiana for education," Raatz said. "We cannot forgo that."

• A spokesperson for Indiana's education department did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.

The other side: Sen. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis, who helped author the 2017 legislation that created the ethnic studies course requirement, was incensed by the last-minute change and said he was not told about it.

• Taylor said the mandate, which just required schools to offer the course, did not require teaching about any particular ethnic group.

🗳️ Partisan school boards

State lawmakers narrowly voted to make Indiana's school board elections partisan.

State of play: House and Senate Republicans were divided on how best to establish partisan school boards.

• The Senate wanted to move school boards, which had been nonpartisan, to the same primary process as other elected offices.
• Meanwhile, the House passed a version of the bill that allowed candidates to indicate a party affiliation (or abstain) on the general election ballot.

Between the lines: The issue split the Republican supermajority.

• On the final day of the legislative session, the Senate voted to accept the House version — but just barely. Senate Bill 287 passed 26-24.

Three more bills

🏈 The Colts closed the 2025 NFL Draft by picking up two defensive players and three offensive players on the final day, including Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard. (Fox59)

🚨 Police said a "possible tire malfunction" may have caused last week's fatal crash involving Purdue University's Boilermaker Special. (WTHR)

🏀 Braylon Mullins of Greenfield-Central High School was named 2025 Indiana Mr. Basketball. He is committed to play for the UConn Huskies next season. (WISH)

🏎️ The 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 is approaching a sellout with fewer than 10,000 grandstand tickets left. (CBS4)

🏆 Eli Lilly and Company CEO Dave Ricks has been named Chief Executive Magazine's 2025 CEO of the Year by his peers. (Chief Executive)

✌🏿 Justin here!

This week's bite garners praise for its balanced seasoning approach despite what the eatery's name suggests.

Plus: It's an early Cinco de Mayo recommendation for anyone in Boone County come May 5.

The bite: The Lone Ranger quesadilla ($19) and Stagecoach burrito ($19) from Salty Cowboy Tequileria.

• The Lone Ranger is a quesadilla filled with steak, cheese and jalapenos served alongside Texas caviar and a trio of dipping options.
• The Stagecoach is stuffed with steak, rice, lettuce, queso salsa and guacamole.

The 'burb: Zionsville.

My take: Restraint isn't usually the word that comes to mind when eating quesadillas and burritos, but it was notable during my trip to the Salty Cowboy.

• Nothing was "too much," which allowed all of the flavors to shine.

The vibe: Rustic, quirky and charming. It's Tex-Mex with pops of color that scream "beachside taco shack" in the best way.

• But it's better for rustling up some quick grub than lounging around.

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The Indiana Pacers are one win away from advancing to the second round of the NBA Playoffs after beating the Bucks, 129-103, last night in Milwaukee.

• Myles Turner led the Pacers in scoring with 23 points, and Tyrese Haliburton recorded a double-double with 17 points and 15 assists.
• Game 5 of the best-of-seven series is tomorrow in Indianapolis.