Distracted Driving Summit leads to wave of action; let's keep it going
A week ago, we wrapped up our Distracted Driving Summit. Since then, the nationwide campaign to end distracted driving has taken off. Today I want to share with you some of the developments I've seen.
That day I felt that everyone was leaving with a strong sense of momentum. In the blog, I noted that we were at a tipping point, achieving critical mass to move forward.
Well, the programs discussed below demonstrate that we are indeed moving with renewed vigor toward a safer driving world; I urge you to read about them after the jump--
Mom sends the MSG: keep your mind on the wheel
Drive To Life PSA Challenge
On the Road, Off the Phone
Drive Safely Work Week
Mom sends the MSG: keep your mind on the wheel. From the team who brought you The Motherhood, this program includes a pledge that moms can sign. They also offer opportunities for moms to get involved in spreading the message that distracted driving must stop.
Drive to Life PSA Challenge: The folks at National Organizations for Youth Safety have teamed up with the National Road Safety Foundation to host a contest for young people to craft the best traffic safety PSA. The winner gets a trip to New York to produce the PSA with a professional filmmaker. What a great idea to take this right to our kids and let them speak to each other on their terms. This is part of National Youth Traffic Safety Month.
On the Road, Off the Phone: Operated by the National Safety Council and CTIA: The Wireless Association, this program offers tips and information for parents and young drivers. Their website also features this PSA--please share it:
Drive Safely Work Week: October 5 through October 9 is Drive Safely Work Week. This campaign is sponsored by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety.Their point is simple but effective: Drive focused. Drive Smart. Get home safely.
I can't think of a better note to end on than that. Please, everyone, get home safely.
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00e551eea4f588340120a623d381970c
Thank you Secretary LaHood, first of all, for holding the Distracted Driving summit - and for posting about the Mom Sends a Msg campaign! The distracted driving problem is deeply important to moms and we support your efforts 1000%. We'd love if you signed our Pledge to "Keep Your Mind on the Wheel!" http://www.momsmsg.com/my-blog/2009/10/take-the-keep-your-mind-on-the-wheel-pledge.html Thank you!
Thank you for your great post! It was a thrill to meet Secretary LaHood and now to see moms across the country get on board the campaign. The time really is now to make big changes and make the roads much, much safer!
We want to thank you for inviting us to the D2 Summit last week. Thanks for posting all of this great information. If you would like to add us to the list of educational organizations, you can find us at www.txtresponsibly.org. We are currently distributing our awareness posters across the country.
I noticed a far amount of company owned vehicles have these 1800 hows my driving bumper stickers. Isn't this helping prevoke dangerous driving? Even if they don't grab there cell phone to call, grabbing a pen and writing down the number to call later is ju st as dangerous. I just find it ironic these companies with the bumber stickers is suppose to help removing dangerous driving when its actually worsening the sitution. Just my 2 cents. I think Ray LaHood should put ban on these stickers as well.
I'm busy putting together a program to reduce distracted driving using social media and I'm looking for insurance company involvement - Insurers need to participate in the program which uses peer and financial pressure to get drivers to hear the message and drive responsibly - Distracted driving is dangerous driving - deadly dangerous. Insurers contact us no_distractions@transinteract.com
The Summit was a great idea and its having good national results. I hope that will still be the case 6 months from now, a year from now, 10 years from now. I think it is good that national organizations have taken a leadership role in dealing with driving and cell phone use. That is a big step forward. We also need action by state legislatures and by insurance companies to really hit home the point that talking or texting on the phone and driving at the same time is not a safe thing to be doing. It will take a combination of things to get the message across andmake it stick. This is an important first step. Hat's off to the national organizations and you for getting the ball rolling. But don't be surprised if you see some people who just don't care. California has had a cell phone and driving law that has been enforced since January. and most people you see drive by are no longer using cell phones. But as we were turning into a parking lot on Friday, someone was turning out talking on a cell phone. There will always be some who won't care but the great majohrity of people do care and will take the message to heart once it starts getting out there in a major way through the media, through legislation, through insurance company action. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.
I think it is good that national organizations have taken a leadership role in dealing with driving and cell phone use. That is a big step forward. We also need action by state legislatures and by insurance companies to really hit home the point that talking or texting on the phone and driving at the same time is not a safe thing to be doing.
I'll be honest with you. I once rear ended a car, while pulling up to a stop sign, while reading a map. I didn't know I was still rolling. Yes, fiddling with anything while driving drastically increases odds of having and accident. Fortunately I didn't hurt anyone seriously.
Thank you Secretary LaHood, first of all, for holding the Distracted Driving summit - and for posting about the Mom Sends a Msg campaign! The distracted driving problem is deeply important to moms and we support your efforts 1000%. We'd love if you signed our Pledge to "Keep Your Mind on the Wheel!" http://www.momsmsg.com/my-blog/2009/10/take-the-keep-your-mind-on-the-wheel-pledge.html Thank you!
Posted by: Cooper Munroe | October 08, 2009 at 01:26 PM
I'd like to see something like this ad from Wales on TV... http://www.youtube.com/verify_age?&next_url=/watch%3Fv%3DvAxcnZCU0UU
Posted by: mcas | October 08, 2009 at 02:03 PM
Thank you for your great post! It was a thrill to meet Secretary LaHood and now to see moms across the country get on board the campaign. The time really is now to make big changes and make the roads much, much safer!
Posted by: Emily McKhann | October 08, 2009 at 02:29 PM
Dear Mr. Lahood,
We want to thank you for inviting us to the D2 Summit last week. Thanks for posting all of this great information. If you would like to add us to the list of educational organizations, you can find us at www.txtresponsibly.org. We are currently distributing our awareness posters across the country.
Thanks for all your help.
Posted by: Cassidy Parmley | October 08, 2009 at 02:37 PM
I noticed a far amount of company owned vehicles have these 1800 hows my driving bumper stickers. Isn't this helping prevoke dangerous driving? Even if they don't grab there cell phone to call, grabbing a pen and writing down the number to call later is ju st as dangerous. I just find it ironic these companies with the bumber stickers is suppose to help removing dangerous driving when its actually worsening the sitution. Just my 2 cents. I think Ray LaHood should put ban on these stickers as well.
Posted by: Mike | October 09, 2009 at 12:27 PM
I'm busy putting together a program to reduce distracted driving using social media and I'm looking for insurance company involvement - Insurers need to participate in the program which uses peer and financial pressure to get drivers to hear the message and drive responsibly - Distracted driving is dangerous driving - deadly dangerous. Insurers contact us no_distractions@transinteract.com
Posted by: Deanprocter | October 09, 2009 at 08:59 PM
The PSA contest for kids is a wonderful idea. Is there a poster or sign that we can display in our office to help support this effort?
Posted by: OC Dermatologist | October 10, 2009 at 02:34 PM
The Summit was a great idea and its having good national results. I hope that will still be the case 6 months from now, a year from now, 10 years from now. I think it is good that national organizations have taken a leadership role in dealing with driving and cell phone use. That is a big step forward. We also need action by state legislatures and by insurance companies to really hit home the point that talking or texting on the phone and driving at the same time is not a safe thing to be doing. It will take a combination of things to get the message across andmake it stick. This is an important first step. Hat's off to the national organizations and you for getting the ball rolling. But don't be surprised if you see some people who just don't care. California has had a cell phone and driving law that has been enforced since January. and most people you see drive by are no longer using cell phones. But as we were turning into a parking lot on Friday, someone was turning out talking on a cell phone. There will always be some who won't care but the great majohrity of people do care and will take the message to heart once it starts getting out there in a major way through the media, through legislation, through insurance company action. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.
Posted by: Michael E. Bailey | October 10, 2009 at 08:01 PM
I think it is good that national organizations have taken a leadership role in dealing with driving and cell phone use. That is a big step forward. We also need action by state legislatures and by insurance companies to really hit home the point that talking or texting on the phone and driving at the same time is not a safe thing to be doing.
Posted by: create a free blog | July 30, 2010 at 05:21 AM
I'll be honest with you. I once rear ended a car, while pulling up to a stop sign, while reading a map. I didn't know I was still rolling. Yes, fiddling with anything while driving drastically increases odds of having and accident. Fortunately I didn't hurt anyone seriously.
Posted by: Robert | January 29, 2012 at 09:28 PM