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

[Bob De Camp, Douglas, Ga]

Thank you for pushing for safety on the roads. As a truckdriver and a cyclist, I have seen it from two different perspectives.
I am most concerned about distracted drivers coming up on a bike or pedestrian. These folks have zero protection from a motor vehicle.
Talking on a hands-free phone may be no different than talking to a passenger in the car. It depends on the driver. The driver must be responsible enough to know when to stop talking as traffic conditions constantly are changing, and never "text" while driving.
Education and courtesy will solve a lot a big portion of the problem.

[OC Webdesign]

I am not one to call for legislation quickly. I have faith in peoples ability to make wise choices for themselves and do not usually see a need for the government to decide what folks should and should not do.
Because of this I am taken aback by the fact that folks actually do seem to be choosing to text while piloting an automobile. I HATE to admit it but would favor a law with severe consequences to help people to make better decisions concerning this practice.

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1201137958]

I fully agree that distracted driving and especially using hand held cell phones increases the likehood of car accidents. In 2003 I was hit very hard from behind while I was sitting at a traffic light by a girl who had dropped her cellphone while talking on the phone while driving. That much said, There are already strong laws here in NJ against not using hand held cellphones while driving and they have almost no effect of the actions of drivers. Everyone still talks on the phone while driving using hand held cellphones, I see it 10 times a week at least. I myself don't ever do this but I know that 90% of the drivers ignore the laws because truth be told they are mostly unenforcable anyway. You simply cannot and probabaly will not ever be able to get people to obey a law that by it's nature is really beyond the power of the police to effectively enforce. Sure they may ticket a few, but that only teaches drivers to be a little more distreet and on the lookout for police, it does not stop them from talking and texting while driving by and large. I doubt it has much effect on the accident rate at all. You simply can't watch over the masses every moment. You can educate some, and some will listen, but mostly this issue is beyond state control no matter what laws get passed.

[Jim R Hyde Jr]

There is some simple technology used by Qualcomm that limits their units from being used while driving down the road. Why not make it mandatory for cell phone to use this same technology by turning the keypad off while the phone is traveling faster than 20mph and below 15,000feet. This would allow for phone usage in airplanes. For those who are going to argue that then no one in the vehicle could use the phones, I would say that maybe we need some sort of technology that allows multiple blue tooths and multiple connections via a cell phone router, that way you could allow for phone conversation. This seems to me to be the best way to stop texting while driving, because police officers don't regulate the laws we have now. I can drive in NY and still see people holding phones up to their head, even though they have a cell phone ban. What makes you think the police can regulate a task you can do under your steering wheel. Turn off all keypads while in motion!!!

[Asia Reeves]

Well, Mr. LaHood, when are you going to state CB radios as a form of distraction? When are you going to say this, sir, to the millions of truck drivers, police officers, military and airline personnel who use them daily? You take one hand off of the steering wheel, pick up the mic, and hold it up to your head...much like you would a cell phone.

I'm sure we both know the answer to this rhetorical question...YOU SIMPLY WON'T SAY IT! You know the reaction you get would be catastrophe. I took the liberty of asking my own trucking company this very question and they refused to give me an answer..I wasn't the least bit surprised.

I'm calling you on this, sir. Say it. I can't wait to see the reaction from the nation.

Asia Reeves
~Diesel Lady~

[Tuck Simpson]

To allow cell phone use while making texting legal is ridiculous.

[Tom @ 1GB MP3 Players]

Mr Secretary

I happened to sumble across this blog and wanted to comment on distracted driving and the threat it poses.

I know that just passing laws about all of our societal problems isn't a solution but perhaps if strict penality for texting our using a cell phone are passed I think it will save lives

all the best and God Bless the United States of America

Tom

[jewelry reviews]

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.

[Kara]

Of course it's dangerous! In fact, texting while driving is supposedly more dangerous than driving after a few drinks! I think people need to be more educated on the consequences of this type of behavior, I don't think most individuals realize how dangerous multi-tasking while driving is!

[Moruf]

I will state that auto death is a major concern in every cosmopolitan city all over the world, so we should not take this for granted in the US and stricter policy enforcement should encourage in order to reduce death cause by dangerous driving.

Moruf @ http://troybilttillers.org
A father and Advocate of Safe Road

[A.G.]

Banning something is far easier than setting a standard and expecting people to maintain it. Irresponsible mobile-device usage is a symptom, not the problem.

I am the child of a certified driver's education teacher and own every edition of AAA's _Sportsmanlike Driving_ (now titled "Responsible Driving"), noting how over the decades it has gone from a thick hardcover with lots of information to a scant paperback with lots of pictures. The DOT's reliance on laws, regulations, and bans instead of personal responsibility is making the situation worse and worse, reducing the great safety benefits we've seen from auto-design and materials technology.

[Troy Bilt]

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.

[Troy Bilt]

I am taken aback by the fact that folks actually do seem to be choosing to text while piloting an automobile. I HATE to admit it but would favor a law with severe consequences to help people to make better decisions concerning this practice.

[Djc7447]

I cannot believe how many people I see texting and driving.

[Tablet]

Thanks for your post. In order to protect others as well as ourselves, we really should be concentrated while driving.

[Kathryn]

Distracted Driving Video Contest - Vote now!

Help Michigan Personal Injury Lawyers, Buckfire & Buckfire, and the American Lawyer Academy select the northern regional winner for the 2010-11 Viral Video Scholarship Contest. The ALA Viral Video Scholarship contests offers $25,000 in scholarships toward college tuition at a recognized academic institution.

The theme of the contest is "distracted driving" and high school students and college students nationwide have submitted their vides. We have chosen two finalists now we need your help in deciding on the winner.

Vote now by visiting this link: http://www.buckfirelaw.com/library/northern-region-finalists-viral-video-film-contest.cfm

Copy and paste link in your browser. Limit 1 vote per IP address per day. Public voting ends May 7, 2011 and regional winners will be announced May 15, 2011.

Help promote safe driving and vote!

[Harkins]

Distracted driving due to cell phone use is one of the biggest safety issues affecting everyone from teens to very skilled professional drivers.
Unfortunately common sense does not often prevail and people can't seem to put down the phone at times when they really need to do so.
Because many businesses understand this and need to avoid liabilities, we have banners and posters that read "Are you driving or multi-tasking?" to help remind professional drivers of the hazards of using a cell phone while driving.

[Tampa Disability Lawyer]

Distratcted driving is a huge concern here in Florida as well. I hope that we continue to crack down on the huge amount of people playing with their cell phones while driving. I see atleast 2 to 3 people every morning on theirs.

[John Car Accident Lawyer]

I couldn't agree more Kathryn. Distracted driving can come in many forms and we need to crack down on any and all forms of it.
If you are driving on the road you should not be multi tasking. You need to be paying attention to your surroundings and what is going on around you.