Distracted Driving

Sometime ago I got involved in the “No Phone Zone” and otherdistracted driving programs. My interest was perhaps driven by the news, reports in the insurance industry, and the staggering statistics that have increased as technology and wide-spread ownership and usage of cell phones continues to increase even while driving.  I urge you to read the statement below and share it with someone. It can make a difference, especially if you have someone in your family or know someone with young drivers in their household.

The Department of Transportation also unveiled the latest in its “Faces of Distracted Driving” video series, featuring 17-year-old Emily Reynolds, the daughter of FocusDriven board member Rob Reynolds, from Omaha, Neb. The Reynolds family lost their daughter Cady Reynolds in 2007 when a teen driver texting on her cell phone while driving nearly 50 mph struck Cady’s car. Cady was only 16. Visit http://www.distraction.gov/faces to watch Emily’s video and hear stories from others who have lost loved ones to drivers who were texting behind the wheel.

 

I feel that it is worth your time to read the latest message sent to me by Focus Driven. This organization is amazing. It was started by a mother who lost her own daughter due to texting while driving. Please take a moment out of your day to read this letter and please take a look at the site. You can make a difference!

 

 

Dear Mary,On January 12, we commemorated the first anniversary of FocusDriven – Advocates for Cell-Free Driving.In a year, we have accomplished a lot. We gave an outlet to those affected by cell phone-distracted driving. We became a support network for people who needed help coping with the disastrous consequences of these preventable crashes. We helped push this deadly issue into the national spotlight.But we know more work needs to be done. Lives are still being lost – at least 5500 lives each year. FocusDriven will continue to educate the public with our message: cell phone use while driving is a dangerous, deadly behavior. Today, we join U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood in Washington, D.C. to commemorate our joint accomplishments and recognizing the challenges that still await us. We also unveil our new public service announcement and 5500 Campaign – a reminder that though 5500 may be just a number, there’s a face and a story to go with every fatality. Watch the PSA on YouTube. Find more information on our anniversary at www.focusdriven.org. Thank you for your support during our first year.

With the growing numbers we cannot afford to not address this in our own communities and states. The United States Transportation Secretary is making this a priority. Insurance Companies are exploring the possibility of limiting coverage if texting while driving and you are involved in an accident. States continue to introduce law to ban texting while driving and some cell phone carriers are offering apps that will prevent the use of cell phones to text while driving.

What can we do to improve this situation? Thanks for taking the time to read this.

  

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