Distraction.gov another tool to promote common sense, fight distracted driving

I want to thank the folks at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a great holiday gift--our new www.distraction.gov website. This page is a terrific resource for anyone wanting to learn more about this deadly practice...and about how to kick it to the curb.

This site has a host of useful features including news, statistics, the latest research, a rundown on state and local laws, and a plain language set of answers to frequently asked questions.

But my current favorite part of the site has to be the public service television ad in the upper right corner. This 30-second spot--"Calling Plan"--airs nationally this week and makes its point in the clearest possible terms: driving without distraction should be common sense.

And, because we're not finished yet, the website is also a gift that keeps on giving. In the coming weeks you'll see new features added to make the site even more useful, including a list of ways to get involved in our nationwide campaign to end this deadly behavior. You can keep coming back to see what develops.

Look, we're working hard to make our nation's drivers safer, and this website is one more good tool in our belt.

I urge everyone to check out our site and let the folks at NHTSA know what you think about it and how they can make it even more effective.

And, as always, please drive safely.

Comments

[Glenn A]

outstanding addition to the Internet efforts to contain this menace to public safety.

Other sites I like regarding cell phone and text messaging laws --

http://handsfreeinfo.com

and

http://txtresponsibly.org/

[Michael E. Bailey]

This is another major step forward in dealing with the distracted driving problem. The PSA makes clear that driving and using the phone at the same time kills and smart people should not do it. The site will be a benefit in the effort to control distracted driving activity. For areas that have taken the step to end driving and handheld cell phoning/texting, we must finish the effort by banning hands free phones through corporate and city, county, and state personnel policies. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Canvas Art]

In NY talking and texting while driving is illegal. The number of accidents has already decreased. I would like to see every state implement these laws.

[Mike H]

It may be even more convincing if someone could describe how many millions of bits of information per second the human brain processes while driving. The numbers are staggering and the addition of phone conversation stimulus can increase those numbers exponentially. Too many people are not impressed by some broad percentage statistics and feel as if "they can handle" anything that comes along. Keep up the effort and best of luck.

[Restaurant Connection]

I think that this issue is finally getting the attention it needs. I operate a food delivery service in San Diego and see close calls on the roads every day. We need to put an end to these dangerous practices.

[Healthy Habits]

I am glad I am hearing about this iniciative. Text-ending has become a huge problem, even urbandictionary has an entry on it.

[slick deals]

I think that this issue is finally getting the attention it needs. I operate a food delivery service in San Diego and see close calls on the roads every day.

[MELISSA]

I AM A SAFETY TRAINER AT A LARGE SCHOOL BUS COMPANY IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SEE NOT ONLY COMMERCIUAL VEHICLE DRIVERS BANNED FROM CELLPHONE USE WHILE DRIVING BUT A L L DRIVERS. AFTER WATCHING THE SPECIAL OPRAH WINFREY HAD REGARDING THIS MATTER, IT JUST INTENSIFIED FOR ME THE NEED ON A BAN NATION WIDE!

[MELISSA]

SORRY FOR THE TYPE O WHEN I SPELLED COMMERCIAL

[wiseopt]

I think that this issue is finally getting the attention it needs.