Welcome to DOT's second Distracted Driving Summit

Today the Department of Transportation hosts our second national Distracted Driving Summit. We have a lot of ground to cover in our fight against distracted driving, and we've got a great line-up of panelists to help us begin covering it.

We have so much to discuss today because, last year, distraction-related crashes killed at least 5,500 people and injured more than 450,000 others.

But those statistics don't even begin to tell the real story of this deadly epidemic. Each one of those 5,500 killed means an uninvited telephone call from a state trooper. Each one of those nearly half a million injured may mean months of painful rehabilitation.

Yesterday, I met with more than a dozen victims of distracted driving--daughters who lost parents, mothers and fathers who lost children. And today, those brave family members will gather at the summit and tell their stories in the hope that someone will listen, that someone will nod in agreement and say, "She's right; that text message or that cell phone call is not worth it."

The research presented today will confirm what I've been saying over and over for the past 12 months: you cannot text or talk on the phone while driving safely. You just can't do it.

So please tune into our webcast at www.distraction.gov and follow our staff who will be blogging about the summit's proceedings in real time below.

We must stop this deadly behavior. Working together, I know we can.

Comments

[Joseph J. Spurr, IV]

Dear Sir or Madam -

I read with great interest the Washington Post article that detailed the driving summit which begins in about 15 minutes

I am a retired Naval Officer and pilot and I have a suggestions that could end this travesty, improve the economy and save a lot of lives.

We have the technology to, literally, 'jam' a cell-phone's frequency. We have been using the Navy's EA-6B aircraft to do it on the major thoroughfares going into Baghdad since IED's started exploding.

The communications industry has these things available NOW, although, the US, apparently doesn't sell them. I can buy them through Canadian markets and they can jam cell phones, 'bugs' that might be placed in conference rooms, etc. And they can be bought for as little as $30.00.

The concept is simple. The auto manufacturers hook these things to to the vehicle's starter or alternator (you want to pick a power source which, if tampered with to eliminate the jammer has the effect of rendering the vehicle incapable of being driven). When the operator puts the key in the ignition and starts the car the jammer is activated and ... viola' ... no cell phone available for use.

Now the ACLU might have an issue with First Amendment rights but, hey, just 'cause some guy or gal wants to talk or text on their cell phone doesn't give them the right to kill me in a traffic accident because they aren't paying attention.

Just one man's opinion but ... General Motors makes money, we crate more jobs by making these things here in the US and the Secretary and the Administration can take credit for preventing 'Little Johnny' or 'Little Suzy' (I am not kidding ... we're talking teenagers a LOT)killing me or anyone else.

Over to you.

[Eldon Schriner]

I am listing to the distracted driving conference and it troubles me that most of the attention is focused on individual driver behavior. Industry progress in safety provision is praised by the Secretary. I drive a 2010 luxury auto with electronic navagation, heater/air condition controls, audio controls, etc and it is nearly impossible to drive without distractions. The manufacture should be sanctioned for such poorly designed systems. The auto wipers and lighting controls that are poorly timed also cause distractions when trying to override their poor programming. Thank you.

Eldon Schriner

[Matthew Gulbranson]

We should ask Rihanna to appear in a PSA featuring her song, "Shut Up and Drive". As an actor, I volunteer to appear in this PSA to help combat driving while either texting or talking on a cell phone. "Shut Up and Drive" can be the motto/slogan to fight this problem!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up7pvPqNkuU&ob=av3e

Thanks!
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2782855/

[hesi practice test]

The concept is simple. The auto manufacturers hook these things to to the vehicle's starter or alternator, you want to pick a power source which, if tampered with to eliminate the jammer has the effect of rendering the vehicle incapable of being driven.

[Frank Waltos]

My daughter sent me an ad for a device that automatically disables a drivers cell phone while the vehicle motor is running. See particulars at this web site:

http://key2safedriving.com/

This almost seems too good. Is the Department aware of this and is this something that the Department would/should endorse?