A few key takeaways from Distracted Driving Summit

Yesterday, we hosted our second Distracted Driving Summit, and, even after so much anticipation, it's difficult to imagine that it could have gone any better. Although you can watch video from the day's proceedings, I want to share a few points that I'm still thinking about this morning:

• Enforcement works;
• We must reach America's young people; and
• Americans don't need more dashboard distractions.

But, before we get to those, I must stress this one idea: Distraction-related crashes are 100% preventable; all we need is for drivers to step up and take personal responsibility for the 2,000-pound vehicles they command. Distracted driving does not just happen; it is a choice that flies in the face of that responsibility.

All photos courtesy Julie Fischer, DOT

First, I want to thank Captain Shannon Trice of the Syracuse Police Department, who spoke about the effectiveness of our pilot enforcement program and made this observation:

"Law enforcement officers are ready to enforce distraction laws. Our pilot program shows that we are able to enforce these laws. And--because traffic enforcement is law enforcement--we are anxious to do so."

Captain Trice discussed the most effective techniques his colleagues in Syracuse were able to use in cracking down on drivers who flouted New York's ban on texting and using handheld phones while driving. The most interesting point for me? None of these techniques involved high-tech gear; they were all common sense approaches to police work.

Giving FocusDriven's Jennifer Smith a hug as the summit closes

What's important to me about the ability of these enforcement efforts to reduce distracted driving in Syracuse (cell use down 38%, texting down 42%) is that it neutralizes one of the main arguments I hear against laws prohibiting use of these devices while driving. What's the point, people ask, of passing laws if they can't be enforced?

Well, Captain Trice made it plenty clear yesterday that these laws can be enforced and that officers--recognizing that it makes their communities safer--want to enforce them.

US Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis talks about employer responsibilities

Second, we still need to reach our young people. While distracted driving is a behavior practiced across demographic categories, the statistics tell us that young drivers are proportionately more likely to be killed in distraction-related crashes. This morning, I will address the NOYS Youth Summit, so please look for a blog later today devoted to young drivers and distraction.

Third, in recent weeks, we’ve heard about carmakers adding technology in vehicles that lets drivers update Facebook, surf the Web, or do any number of other things instead of driving safely. This trend just leaves me shaking my head. Look, features that pull drivers’ hands (manual distraction), eyes (visual distraction), and attention (cognitive distraction) away from the road are distractions. Period.

So, I’m going to work with the auto companies to develop new safety guidelines for technology in vehicles. It's just common sense to put safety before entertainment.  Why not use these advances in innovation to decrease distraction-related deaths and injuries instead of multiplying the opportunities for driver distraction?

US Senator Amy Klobuchar discussed legislative efforts underway

Now, that's a brief look at what I'm still thinking about this morning. But we covered a lot more ground than that yesterday. If you missed it or want to revisit a particular panel, you can find a link to our archived video at www.distraction.gov.

I really must thank everyone who attended yesterday's summit, everyone who followed along online, CSPAN for televising our proceedings, all of our speakers and guests, and the DOT staff who worked tremendously hard to make the day so productive. But, most of all, I want to thank Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, US Senator Amy Klobuchar, and--in particular--those who shared their heartbreaking stories and gave this epidemic a human face. Thank you, everyone.

Comments

[Diana Johnson]

Thank You Sec. LaHood, for recapping the stand-out points of the summit so well! I tried to watch most of the day & had your department's excellent blog running next to the LIVE webcast!! For those who don't have the time to watch the archived coverage, now I can just send them here!!! I appreciate all the work you have done to END Distracted Driving!!!! STAY SAVE!!!!!

[Carroll]

This is a great idea, but I think that it is going to be enforced. Like the seat belt laws, in most states it's a secondary offense meaning they have to stop people for some other violation.

Just the other day, I was stopped at a stop light. The person next to me was on a cell phone talking, on the other side was a policeman. The policeman didn't try to make contact with the driver on the cell phone.

So until people take this matter seriously, there will always be a problem with it.

I sure hope not.

[Craig Hearn]

I am a professional driver. Every major causation study of truck-involved auto accidents shows definitively that the major factor in such accidents is...THE CAR DRIVER!
Totally cognizant that no one individual or group, especially me and mine and you and yours and also fully aware that your position has action as its sole effective requirement, I strongly urge you to initiate a change and institute a basic requirement that laws and regulations will, henceforth, be based on sound, rational and logical understanding of facts. Not action for actions sake.
The plans of your office to install yet even more regulation on the trucking industry is ludicrous. CSA 2010 is an abhorrent joke just as is the, AGAIN, reworking of the HOS regulations.
Where are the point system and federal regulations for the factually proven most deadly and dangerous liability on the road, the AMATEUR driver?
Your actions for actions sake are creating frustration and animosity among those already over regulted and charged with the babysitting of the truer problem, every mile of every day.

Craig Hearn

[Sergiu F. Luchian]

maybe the first step should be to strengthen the driver's license test requirements, and improve overall driving habits by strong enforcement of road rules (stop, signals, not being a nuisance to others, etc.).
several years ago, over 70% of licensed US drivers in Germany FAILED the German license test (the population was complaining about their horrendous driving manners...).

[John]

Thanks for the summary and the videos. According to an Allstate Insurance study, eighty-seven percent of the 6,000 teens die every year because of driving with distractions

[Eric B]

Cars weigh much more than 2,000 lbs. A subcompact is around 3,500 and a mid-size sedan closer to 4,000. Some large SUVs are over 3 tons!

In an era of great obesity, vehicle weight is the easiest place to shed some pounds. Leave the car at home, take a bus, and you can talk/text as much as you want.

[Noel Wang]

One soulution is: Equip autos and trucks with a electric jamming device that won't let the driver or passenger send or receive messages until the engine is turned off!! Anyone tampering with the device would fac a heavy fine.

[William Andrews]

LaHood's comment on PBS Newshour that "ALL Americans own a cellphone" is inaccurate. Such inaccurate statements cause all statements of same source (LaHood) to be in doubt if true. I suspect at least 10% of citizens of all of north and south American continents do not own a cellphone. Example, my father, who is deaf, bedridden, and often suffers from dementia; does not own, nor uses, a cellphone. Please avoid inaccurate statements if want any statement to be believed.
I emailed Transportation Dept. website this, but got reply that I needed to phone or send letter. Hope this gets message to you. Please improve so such emails to web site also get you.

[Mark Frazer]

I strongly support the prohibition of cell phone use of any kind while driving. Driving is serious business. Ask the families of those who have lost loved ones in car accidents.
I am surprised there is even a debate about it. Common sense says "if you are guiding a 3,000 pound piece of dangerous machinery at speed then pay attention lest you hurt your self or others". How can there even be a question about this?

Mark Frazer

[Walt Seifert]

I very much appreciate Secretary Lahood's support for bicycling and fight against distracted driving. A decade ago, NHTSA published the article below. It now no longer seems to be on the NHTSA Website. Distracted-driving- caused crashes are certainly not accidents. They are the direct and predictable result of inattention. I hope the department can again post this article on its Website. I believe it nicely explains the idea that crashes aren't accidents and that this is important concept for the media and law enforcement.

“Crashes Aren’t Accidents” Campaign
by Pamela Anikeeff, Traffic Safety Programs

On June 8, 1997, at the opening of the Lifesavers/15 Conference in Orlando, Florida, Administrator Ricardo Martinez, M.D., with Secretary Rodney Slater kicked off the new nationwide campaign “Crashes Aren’t Accidents”. The Campaign was initiated by Administrator Martinez to encourage removal of the word “accident” from our vocabulary. The campaign kickoff featured a poster sized Proclamation (see box) announcing the “Crashes Aren’t Accidents” campaign which was signed by the Administrator as part of the ceremony. In a short time, numerous organizations representing thousands of supporters joined the Administrator and literally “signed onto” the Proclamation as well.

A Crash Is Not an Accident

Changing the way we think about events, and the words we use to describe them, affects the way we behave. Motor vehicle crashes and injuries are predictable, preventable events. Continued use of the word “accident” promotes the concept that these events are outside of human influence or control. In fact, they are predictable results of specific actions.

Since we can identify the causes of crashes, we can take action to alter the effect, and avoid collisions. These events are not “acts of God” but predictable results of the laws of physics.

The concept of “accident” works against bringing all the appropriate resources to bear on the enormous problem of motor vehicle collisions. Continuous use of “accident” fosters the idea that the resulting injuries are an un-avoidable part of life.

“Crash”, “collision”, “incident”, and “injury” are more appropriate terms, and should be encouraged as substitutes for the word “accident”.

Within the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (US DOT/NHTSA), the word “accident” will no longer be used in materials published and distributed by the agency. In addition, NHTSA is no longer using “accidents” in speeches or other public remarks, in communications with the news media, individuals or groups in the public or private sector.

Recently, two other U.S. Department of Transportation agencies, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) joined NHTSA Administrator, Dr. Ricardo Martinez, endorsing his goal to eliminate “accident” from the agencies’ vocabulary. In this manner, attention will be focused on causes of crashes, and what can be done to prevent collisions and the resulting injuries.

Campaign materials include three specific items: 1) a four page booklet which contains a letter from Administrator Martinez concerning the campaign, a copy of the Proclamation announcing the campaign, a sample article for newsletters, and a page of the “Crashes Aren’t Accidents” logo in various sizes ready for use; 2) a brochure which lists 15 proven ways to prevent crashes and avoid injuries; 3) Stickers with the “Crashes Aren’t Accidents” logo. These three items are available from the Office of Communications and Outreach, Marketing and Media Division. Additional materials for conference exhibits include: Plastic carrying bags, red plastic paper clips, and lapel pins with the “Crashes Aren’t Accidents” logo.

PROCLAMATION

Whereas, changing the way we think about events and the words we use will affect the way we behave. Our goal is to eliminate the word “accident” from the realm of unintentional injury, on the highway and across the nation;

Whereas, motor vehicle crashes and injuries are predictable, preventable events. Continued use of the word “accident” promotes the concept that these events are outside of human influence or control. In fact, they are predictable results of specific actions;

Whereas, we can identify their causes and take action to avoid them. These are not “acts of God”, but predictable results of the laws of physics;

Whereas, use of the word “accident” works against bringing the appropriate resources to bear on this enormous problem. It allows the idea that the resulting injuries are an unexpected part of life;

Now, therefore, we the undersigned, in recognition of this life saving and injury preventing opportunity, do hereby proclaim a national campaign:

“Crashes Aren’t Accidents”

To eliminate the word “accident” from the realm of unintentional injury, on the highway and across the nation, with our partners, with the media, and in all public contexts.

I encourage the use of other appropriate terms such as “crash,” ” collision,” “incident,” and “injury.”

[Business Money Today]

When I first learned to drive, before cell phones, smartphones, iPods, etc. - My father told me that more people where killed by cars then guns and that being behind the wheel of a vehicle is like holding a loaded gun in your hand. This has always stuck with me.
Agree with all points here - especially that these accidents are 100% preventable.