HandsFreeInfo.com seeks to reduce the confusion over local laws and legislation regarding the operation of motor vehicles while using cell phones and text messaging devices. The legal landscape changes frequently, so this web site’s team stays busy keeping on top of the latest developments nationwide.
The site also is dedicated to reducing the number of distracted-driver accidents on U.S. highways by promoting the use of hands-free cell phone devices.
News Center, along with AAA, recently put three young people to the multi-tasking test. Each was asked to drive through an obstacle course while texting. It was a controlled environment with an expert adult driver in the car with them.
Each of the three hit some of the cones and one of the drivers actually ran over a cone and dragged it beneath the car.
“It teaches them that texting and driving don’t mix. They should be separate. And it is actually very difficult to do both well,” says Van Tassel.
The Century Council has produced an interactive initiative called The Concentration Game which mimics distractions a driver may face. We encourage you to play the initiative and embed it on your website.
Ford hosted another Driving Skills for Life driving camp in Washington D.C. just before a two-day summit created by the U.S. Department of Transportation on the topic of distracted driving. The connection of the two is a natural. The Ford Driving Skills for Life driving camp educates and trains teens on safe driving, and the U.S. government found that in 2008, the age group with the greatest proportion of distracted drivers was the under-20 age group. In fact, 16 percent of all under-20 drivers in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving. Vehicle crashes are the top killer of teenagers in America, claiming nearly 5,000 lives each year. Additionally, teens account for three times as many fatal accidents as other drivers, according to the U.S. government.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced a September summit to address the dangers of text-messaging and other distractions behind the wheel. In late September, senior transportation officials, elected officials, safety advocates, law enforcement representatives and academics will convene in Washington, DC to discuss ideas about how to combat distracted driving.
The summit will be conducted over the course of two days.
On Monday, we learned that the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning will be using the free TxtResponsibly.org posters for use throughout their state to promote the dangers of texting while driving. We are delighted to be reaching new audiences and encourage other states to utilize the free TxtResponsibly.org awareness materials. TxtResponsibly Michigan!
TxtResponsibly.org has received and accepted an invitation to attend the Distracted Driving Summit in Washington, DC. on behalf of the U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. The Distracted Driving Summit will be convened by the Department of Transportation on September 30 – October 1, 2009 and will provide an opportunity for expert speakers from around the nation to lead interactive sessions on key topics including the extent and impact of the distracted driving problem, current research, regulations, technology implications, and best practices in enforcement and public outreach. More on Press Release.
I would never text while driving. Except at stoplights, that is, or maybe just to take a quick peek at E-mail. Like many parents, I’m a hypocrite about this issue; I lecture my daughter about the dangers of any mobile-phone use while driving and snatch the BlackBerry out of my husband’s hands when he’s behind the wheel. Time to shape up, Mommy. One of the best ways to enforce no-texting-while-driving in your family is to forgo the practice yourself.
After receiving a Letter for Support, the Director of Public Affairs from AAA Northern New England contacted TxtResponsibly.org to extend an invitation to have a representative attend the Maine Transportation Safety Coalition’s (MTSC) monthly meetings to highlight TxtResponsibly.org’s mission and awareness campaign.
In addition, the AAA has organized a workshop today for driver education instructor enhancement with roughly 70 instructors attending. Each of which will receive a copy of the TxtResponsibly.org PSA posters with their information packets. The workshop is organized by AAA and funded by the State of Maine to provide continuing education for driver educators.
