Distracted driving is dangerous driving

When I was home in Peoria a few weeks ago, Alyssa Burns, a 17-year-old high school student was killed when she drove off the road.

It turns out she was texting while driving.

We’ve all seen the footage of the bus driver who was talking and texting on two cell phones while driving.

He smashed into the back of a car, injured the driver, and ended up driving into a swimming pool.

The horrific commuter train crash last year in California involved an operator who was too busy texting to pay attention to what he should have been doing. As a result, 25 people were killed and 135 were injured.

If it were up to me, I would ban drivers from texting.

But we’ve learned from our efforts to get people to wear seat belts and to persuade them not to drive drunk that laws aren’t always enough. Often, you need to combine education with enforcement to get results.

That’s why I announced this morning that I have decided to convene a summit of senior transportation officials, safety advocates, law enforcement representatives, members of Congress and academics who study these matters.

We will meet next month to discuss how to put an end to the rash of accidents and fatalities that have cropped up because of distracted driving.

When we are done, I expect to have a list of concrete steps to announce.

The bottom line is, we need to put an end to unsafe cell phone use, typing on blackberries and other activities that require drivers to take their eyes off the road and their focus away from driving.

I’ve said from the day I was confirmed as Secretary of Transportation that safety is our number 1 priority.

We all know texting while driving is dangerous – and I promise you we’re going to do something about it so that responsible drivers don’t have worry every time they, or a loved one, gets on the road.

Comments

[Skip Outcalt]

We have a history in this country of writing a new law to solve every problem. A law is completely useless unless it is enforceable and is enforced. It can be used to punish those who cause crashes while using cell phones, but it won't reduce their use or eliminate the crashes they cause because everyone feels that it is the other driver who causes problems.

[Andrew]

Making something against the law doesn't solve the problem it just sends people to jail that shouldn't be there.

I would change the technology first, the punishments second.

the temptation to communicate with loved one is overpowering even during times when it may threaten your life or others.

I'd start by having a hands free earpiece microphone part of every cell phone. Then I would create software for phones that allowed allowed texting hands free. Talk into the phone and it automatically creates the text.

I'd finish by creating an enlightened way of dealing with wrong doers. Rather than getting revenge, ruining their lives forever or sending them to a place where they can learn how to commit ever more serious crimes have them perform years of community service that is directed toward reducing the wrong they did.

There would be community service programs directed towards those who are guilty of DWI, others for those who are talking on the phone while driving and cause an accident, etc.

[Mel Barbera]

The technology to block texting while driving is available via US Patent 7,505,784 which has been assigned to ZoomSafer, Inc. of Reston Virginia (www.zoomsafer.com). They have an outstanding application, available soon as a free download, that can block texting while driving and force hands-free only cell phone use. An optional application allows for converting text to speech and speech to text. This allows people to receive and respond to text messages without ever taking their eyes off the road or their hands off the wheel. No typing and no looking at the screen. A major safety improvement!

ZoomSafer’s CEO, Michael Riemer, is a former executive at Nextel with many years of experience in the wireless industry. He should certainly be considered as a member of your summit as an industry advocate.

[Todd Scott]

Besides responsible drivers, cyclists and pedestrians shouldn't have to worry about distracted drivers either.

[Mary Brocklebank]

May I suggest that the primary recommendation to states government begin 'Both hands on the steering wheel when operating a motor vehicle' The one exception being the time necessary to shift gears for vehicles with standard transmission. And let's not fail to include 'both hands on the handle bars for motorcycles, motor scooters, and bicycles.

Immediately, this solves the difficulty of "seeing" all manner of handheld texting technology. State, county, city & township officers whose charter includes stopping & ticketing would simply need look for two hands on the steering wheel.

I live in Los Angeles & have had 'near misses' with drivers distracted by several of these:

Removing, adding, rearranging clothing (slide out of a jacket/sweater; loosen or remove a necktie; tied a necktie. Changing shoes.

Eating anything, including apples. Most obvious is eaching into a bag of fast food; then opening ketchup for the french fries.. But no matter what one eats, the driver looks down at the item before taking a bite.

Applying all varieties of make-up; combing/brushing hair - men, as well; using curling & straightening irons (yes, there are battery operated & I've witnessed this); pulling hair into or oit of poneytails.

Sifting through music/book CDs - looking for a particular one or can't make up his/her mind. If the driver has no passenger to do this task? Simply, prepare before starting the engine.

And, though impossible to include, I've so often wondered: is it absolutely necessary to yell at ones children while driving; or argue heatedly with passenger(s). Can't it all really wait.

A final word, if anything on my list is considered urgent? Stop driving first. Pull into a parking space, gas station, or driveway. Or, better yet, do it before turning the key! And remember, I live and travel the freeways of Los Angeles - take an offramp; stop the car; 99% of the time there is an onramp nearby.

To those folks who 'talk' with their hands, I apologize.

Wanted this to be a bit of fun - but distraction is serious & I imagine those from age 16 up have seen their parents & other adults in their lives do more than one of the above & more than once.

Readers - have you examples that you've seen?

[Mary Ellen Hines]

I sell EBT's (breath alcohol testers),so for me alcohol should be the number one thing here. Before cell phones, two way radios etc.,there was and still is the just as equal problem of rubber neckers/gawkers that cause just as many problems as cell phone/text use. What about the truck drivers and their CB radios? There is poor drivers education in our country. Maybe strickter driving privileges should be looked at. In Texas kids don't even have to have a drivers test. No real drivers education for most, and you can renew drivers licenses on-line for 8 years and in some states more. We have some really scarry senior drivers out there too. Why not make refresher training and testing a country norm? Why not have road-side fit for driving testing? Sleep deprovation is just as dangerous as being under the influence of alcohol. Thanks for anything you can do to make our roads a safer place.

[Bob C.]

I am not a fan of many things that this administration does, but this time you are spot on.

I am in favor of texting, but I am even more in favor of living.

The idea that someone can type on a hand held device and drive is madness.

Keep up the good work!

[Steven Landers]

i AGREE WITH THE DISTRACTIONS WHILE DRIVING TALKING ON THE PHONE AND TEXTING. I have a older friend that had a daughter in flordia that was rear ended by a driver talking on a cell phone and eating while driving droped the cell and bent over to pickit up and drove into the back of her car killing her. I think the cell phone should be disband and if caught should be fined $5,000 dollars or more i always pull over to answer my phone.

[Michael E. Bailey]

California passed legislation that makes it a crime to drive and use a cell phone at the same time. This was a good measure. Before it passed I saw many drivers driving and talking on cell phones dat the same time. The fine for violating the law is small but the educational benefit and the fear of getting a ticket that could impact insurance rates has had the desired effect for many. But I still see a few people once in a while driving and talking on cell phones at the same time. But I think the law was worth the time and effort getting it passed and implemented. I think better outreach about it is what is needed now. Maybe we need a national law similar to the California one or pass a federal law that would give states more Highway Fund money if they implemented similar laws. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Tyson Clark]

Solution:

By the year 2012, require all wireless communication devices sold in the U.S to be able to detect motion of speeds greater than 10 mph and be able to modify functionality of the wireless communication device if traveling at speeds above 10 mph are detected.

I'm quite sure that most wireless communication device manufactures could do this with a simple software change and any manufacturers that can’t do it now have over two years to catch up.

This is just a toehold. It doesn't require the manufactures to limit functionality, but further legislation could make that happen. This allows the federal or state governments two years to figure out what functionality should be allowed (e.g. nothing, hands-free calling only, phone but no text, etc).

[ethan larson]

Dear Sir. Thank you for your leadership on this issue. Having recently returned from living in Europe for four years I am shocked to see the heads and eyes of most young drivers in the US pointed down at their screens rather than on the road. They zoom down our street past my children and in front of us as we are driving vitrtually (pun intended) oblivious to the world around them. I was rear ended by a guy at a stop light in June with two of my kids in the car. Thank God no one was hurt. He was of course texting like every other 20 year old driving. Europe has recognized the inherent danger of doing anything else while driving but driving. In Hungary where I lived, the laws, steep fines and thus the driving culture reflect this. In the USA doing other things which take attention from driving it is not only legal, but expected. We have cultivated a culture of doing a hundred other things while driving as if the job of driving were idle time to be occupied with something "more important." We have seatbelt laws, drunk driving laws, but allow people to look down at a 2 inch screen in their lap and type while they hurl down the road in a two ton projectile. it is insane and irresponsible and we are insane and irresponsible to allow it. They are just as dangerous as a drunk driver, and there are more of them! When will legislation reflect this? I applaud your efforts and hope that it turns in to real action which will turn this dangerous trend around. Thank you!!

[Carl "Chuck" Hall]

As someone who lost a family member many years ago in a traffic crash caused by unsafe actions of another, I applaud your efforts to eliminate distracted driving. I am willing to volunteer time on a pro-bono basis to develop a campaign around this issue.

Thank you for your efforts on this important issue!

[Mouhamad A. Naboulsi]

It is extremely sad to see and hear about these incidents. Over the last 10 years or so I have built a library about these accidents and my blog on Driver Distraction on linkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=1720617 ) .
We (My partners and I),have experienced these types of problems decades ago as we began to use car phones, computers-Navigation while traveling around the world. Based on this experience, we decided to do something about them. We have pioneered a smart hand free system that can tailor what a person can do behind the steering wheel so they are not doing things over their head AND it guarantees “Eyes On The Road and Hands on the Wheel”. The Eyes On The Road part is guaranteed by eliminating displays and giving the driver verbal information and the Hands On the Wheel part is guaranteed by sensor (simple off/ on switch) that can turnoff cell phone, MP3 Player, Texting and radios the second a hand is removed from the steering wheel. So a person trying to text will find an unresponsive phone.

The system also is an interlock system, unless cell phone is docked with the vehicle physically or wirelessly, the vehicle will not start until all drivers’ portable devices are docked.

We have spent more then 20 years so far in R&D, focus groups and consumer surveys. With patents granted and pending in the U.S., EU and Japan, we are now ready to produce a product but we are stopped by lack of funding and elitist private and public organizations that talk about safety, but they try to bend the solution to meet their business deal. We have had expert review our features and our desk top demo and they all agree that this device can indeed work as an enforcement free system to manage driver’s activity while behind the wheels.

The system also monitors vehicle status and block incoming calls when the driver is in critical maneuvers such as accelerating, turn signal activation, braking hard, so as not to distract him/her from the task at hand. Distracted driver can also be detected by measuring steering movement, g forces of body roll and g forces from sudden steering corrections.

Our Physiology portal is a sensor studed steering wheel that can detect heart rate, hands temperature, sweat, alcohol fumes from hands and gripping strength to detrmine if the driver is competent to drive.

Please see http://www.actplace.net for a list of features and contact us if you have a question on manaboulsi@actplace.net

[Perry Sobel]

Mr. Secretary:

I am glad to see your interest in unsafe cell phone use. Clearly, texting is not the only problem. While I do not believe that cell phones on the road should be banned, I do believe that anything short of mandatory use of handsfree sets will not signficantly cure the problem -- a dangerous problem. In fact, police detection of violations would be much easier than detection of failure to use a seat belt.
Further, I believe that a substantial portion of our traffic congestion is due to other poor driver behaviors. There is chaos on the roads, due to disregard of some of the basic rules we were taught when we first learned how to drive:

1. Slower traffic no longer stays to the right. In fact, the left lane is now used as a cruising lane or a safe lane by slow drivers.

2. People don't bother to use turn signals or to look when changing lanes. They now change lanes spontaneously as if they have a right to force their way in front of people.

3. People don't bother to move over, when traffic allows, to permit merging traffic to enter the highway.

I firmly believe that we would cut down on congestion and driver aggression, perhaps by 30$%, if greater emphasis were placed on these basic rules and the imposition of handsfree cell devices. Perhaps there should be some mandatory driver education for everyone and reminder signs should be posted on the highways.

Thank you for listening.

[Terry Green Jr]

Peer influence is harvested to reduce texting crashes. See sample in 2 minute video @ http://www.drivertodriver.org/distracted_driving.htm

[RAndy Stocker]

Secretary LaHood--On July 22nd, 2003, my Mother, Jean Stocker, and my daughters, Jenelle--19, and Amy-age 9, were all killed by a distracted driver. This happened near Bloomington, IL. The driver was reading a book while driving a fully loaded semi. His name was Randall Fehr. Please don't limit your task force to texting drivers. Please include any type of distractions that can cause accidents. This truck driver took away a large part of my life. If there is anything I can do to help your "distracted drivers" campaign, please let me know.

Randy Stocker
Quincy, IL
2172221422 (Work)
2172228372 (home)

[Larry Hagemann]

Ray,
This needs to be done quickly to save more lives. I have two driving daughters who need to be ticketed for texting while on the road (they say they only do it at RED lights). Of course, they only rarely listen to me...but maybe a $100 fine would shake them back to reality of the dangers of texting in motion. Go for it! Let's get it done.

[Jimbo]

Increased emphasis on distractions while driving must start at the beginners level (high school driver education or private driver training school). As a former motorcoach driver I am fuly aware of the dangers of multi-tasking; talking on CB radio or PA system, adjusting video controls for the movie of the day, reaching for maps or toll money. The list of distractions is endless ! Laws prohibiting such activities while driving are difficult to enforce.
Education is a must !!!

[@DontTwive]

Thank you for addressing this important issue Secretary LaHood. As you said it will be multi-prong approach to which helps reduce distracted driving on our roads.

To help in that mission I've created www.Twitter.com/DontTwive (DontTwive = Don't Tweet and Drive). Using Twitter's search capabilities I follow people who tweet about "Tweeting and Driving" as well as "Texting and Driving". I also launched a #TweetSafe Movement and thank people who Tweet about the dangers of Tweeting/Texting and driving (and ask them to pass #TweetSafe on). Additionally I Tweet useful and factual information about distracted driving (articles, media clips, etc.)so followers will have multiple exposures to the information and the dangers.

In 3 short days we have over 100 followers, and have already attracted insurance companies, truckers, as well as a regional PTA group and more.

I'll share information regarding the September Summit with the followers as you release it to the public. Please let me know if there is any other way I can help or any information you'd like to share with the @DontTwive followers.

Thank you and #TweetSafe!

[Curt]

Mr. Secretary --

Text Messaging is one distraction...but laptops are an equally important issue. Laptops are deployed by most companies to their field sales/service/ delivery/installation staff. Laptops have become critical to how the job gets done. The problem is that drivers often mix driving and working on their laptops...thinking they can multi-task to greater efficiency. This distraction, along with text messaging needs to be eliminated.

Keep up the good work

[mcas]

I'd venture to say that DRIVING is dangerous. Motor Vehicles are the NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF PREVENTABLE DEATH in the US.

Txting, Phones, etc.-- it doesn't matter- cars and car culture is deadly.

[Feng]

A professor (Dr. Zhou) at the University of Utah has had a patent that can lock up some of the cell phone functions once the patented car key turns the engine on. However, the cell phone is still usable for emergency calls. Hope this information helps.

[Skip Outcalt]

There is considerable research showing that a "hands free" device is only marginally better than a "hands on" one. Both are distracting and dangerous for all drivers, and more so for younger less experienced ones.

[Lonnie Renda]

Thank you Secretary of Transportation LaHood. This is an issue that needs to be taken as seriously as driving under the influence. Below is a letter I sent to some advocacy groups on this issue.

MADD National Office
511 E. John Carpenter Freeway
Suite 700
Irving, TX 75062

American Motorcyclist Association
13515 Yarmouth Dr.
Pickerington, Ohio 43147

League of American Bicyclists
1612 K Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20006-2850

All,

I write to each of you with no sense of urgency, although there should be. The groups I am sending this letter to may not appear to have much in common, but I disagree. Each advocacy group has their own agenda, but there is one common cause in which you should all unite. Whether you are a motorcyclist, a bike rider, or against impaired driving, it boils down to each group is put most at risk by vehicles on the road. To be more specific, we are most at risk when drivers of vehicles that do not act safely behind the wheel.

There is a not-so-new danger which is being ignored by legislatures and the public at large. It is the use of cell phones and PDA’s while driving. Everyone knows it is dangerous, but it is just coming to light how dangerous this activity can be, but everyone ignores it.

Studies have shown that a driver using a cell phone, whether hands-free or not, is impaired at the same level as someone with a blood-alcohol content of .08. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07...distracted.html?_r=2

Studies have also cited 75 percent of Americans use a cell phone while driving. http://safety.blr.com/news.aspx?id=88705
That study was from 2003. The numbers must have increased at that point. Although, 75 percent of drivers might not be using their cell phones at the same time, personal observation can show is the number is great. Imagine if the number of people driving drunk was equal to the number of cell phone users. There would be outrage. Instead, the issue is just ignored. Yet, we all are at risk.

Unfortunately, the dangers do not just end there. We know that texting and email use is becoming increasingly popular. Texting puts people more risk than even talking on a cell phone. A person texting is 23 times more likely to experience a safety-critical while driving.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M...ion%26cd%3D1#Texting

This disturbing fact is only made more disturbing by the fact that 20 percent of drivers admit to texting while driving and 50 percent of teens admit to it.
http://parentingteens.suite101...menace_textmessaging

These web sites I used as reference are just a few out of thousands that cite these statistics. Although the numbers may vary slightly, all the studies can only lead to the following:

1) Talking on a cell phone while driving is as bad as being a drunk driver;
2) Texting is worse; and
3) More and more people are texting or talking while driving.

Of course legislation is already being proposed in different states. I have personally read some of it. A person might get a fine here or there. In the case of injury or death, you might even be subjected to a minor misdemeanor offense. I contend that is not enough. The actions of using a cell phone or texting while driving is creating serious risks. These actions must be stopped. We cannot treat the problem like people treated drunk driving in the 60’s. This problem is too prevalent and will affect too many people. The time to act is now.

Obviously, it is an uphill battle. After all, we all like “connectivity” the technology affords us. We all think we can handle it. Legislatures admit to leaving their respective capitols and driving all the way home while using a cell phone. This is why advocacy groups must band together to stop this activity. Whether you are a motorcyclist, a biker, a mother, father, pedestrian or a child, you are at great risk from this activity.

Do not allow there to be another mother, father, or spouse to be approached by police and be told their loved one is now injured dead with the excuse being, “Well it was just an accident. The (other) driver was using their cell phone. We issued a ticket, but that is all we can do.”

Feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Lonnie Renda
Cyclist
Father
cell phone user

[Michael Holderer]

To augment our ability to multi-task, cars are being developed to increase passivity of the driver with "Lane Keep Assist", "Auto Cruise Control", stability control, and passive safety devices. But I don't know how cell-phone speed-detecting technology could tell if the user is a driver or passenger. What to do ? I'd say better driver education is necessary. Military installations forbid cell-phone use while driving. So, I'd say that it is enforcable and desirable.