Local efforts help community understand the dangers of distracted driving

You may recall that, in a previous blog post, author Jack Torry spoke about how in 1965 a garage in his hometown publicly displayed two vehicles from a deadly drunk-driving crash. Passing those crumpled cars instilled in Torry and his community a deep understanding of the dangers of drinking and driving.

Now, in New Canaan, Connecticut, a garage has put another mangled vehicle on display. This one was destroyed in a crash that may have been caused--not by drunk driving, but by distracted driving.

Courtesy Eva Levine

The red VW Jetta, now barely recognizable, was being driven by a 19-year-old woman. When she entered Interstate 95, she struck another vehicle, causing her car to spin out and hit the median, where it was hit by a tractor trailer. The young driver was killed in the accident.

 Posted in front of the car's remnants at AC Auto Body is a "No-Cell-Phones" sign, an effective message to all who pass the grim display.

And it is grim indeed. Garage owner Anthony Ceraso says, "In my 35 years of doing this, this is the worst I've seen."

Responding to the severity of the car's destruction, Ceraso contacted the driver's family for permission to put it on a highly visible corner of his property. Says Ceraso:

"They gave me written approval to display this. If anything good comes of the accident, maybe this might be the way to do it. And if it affects one or two people, well then it's time well spent."

Courtesy Eva Levine

I'm pleased to note that the New Canaan Police Department has also been out in front of the distracted driving epidemic with a strong enforcement effort supporting Connecticut's hands-free law. In October alone, New Canaan officers stopped 235 drivers for violating the state's ban on handheld cell-phone use.

Jim Cole, deputy director of New Canaan Emergency Management, says "I really have to hand it to our officers and our police chief. It's very unpleasant for them enforcing the cell phone and distracted driving laws, but they're doing what needs to be done."

I want to thank Anthony Ceraso and the New Canaan Police Department for their efforts to make our roadways safer. Paraphrasing Mr. Ceraso, if it saves even one life, it's time very well spent.

Comments

[LDMartin1959]

"...may have been caused...by distracted driving." The use of the word "may" by politicians and the media usually means "..in some world it could have been but in this one wasn't." Such manipulation destroys the credibility of ones position and efforts. And lets also be honest in acknowledging that some of us *can* walk and chew gum at the same time.

[Powerlifting]

WOW... what an incredible way to "get the word out". I applaud this kind of guerrilla marketing especially with something like distracted driving. It's so easy to think that a simple text while driving is harmless and then before you know it you are always texting and driving. Great post.

[cwsafe]

Mobile Device usage while operating a motor vehicle at speed (distracted driving) could and should be considered more lethal than Russian Roulette, as the one engaging in it is potentially putting an unknown number of people at an unknown risk at an unknown time.

[Herbert Levinson]

These grim images remind people. I remember back in 1955 outside the master at arms shack a wreck in which 5 Sailors were killed. The vechicle looked pretty much like the one displayed.

[Michael E. Bailey]

If the accident display does not get the message out about the dangers of talking/texting on the cell phone and driving, I don't think there is anything that will. I am also glad that the state and the local police are doing their part. It takes a combination effort to attack this problem and get it significantly reduced and, if possible, eliminated. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Sam DeBono]

Here in Michigan we have just started a new law banning texting while driving

[Glenard Munson]

THANK YOU! In my over 16 years of teaching driving, I have always maintained that people drive the way they do because we, as instructors, have never given them the educational tools (mainly the "why/why not") they need to make informed decisions. I just visited distraction.gov and was glad to see actual information, rather than dire warnings.

Kepp up the good work, Mr. LaHood !

[Jason]

This is a great idea. As a motorcycle rider who was struck by a car operated by someone texting on their cell phone, I can certainly appreciate this initiative. Hopefully it will wake some people up, as laws alone seem to have little effect.

[Teresa Breen]

Our son JB was 23 a United States Marine, brother and father of a then 2 year old little girl. It was a beautiful Sunday March 15, 2009 and we had had a wonderful day with our son. However at 9:22 p.m. my cell phone rang (and to this day I do not know who it was/is) and it was someone asking me if I knew a John Breen and they told me that there had been an accident and that we needed to get to the hospital as soon as possible; however when we arrived they already had him loaded into the helicopter to transport him to a larger hospital that “might” be able to help him, this hospital was an additional 45 minutes away… We NEVER got to see our son alive again and there are NO words to tell you the feeling as a mother how it feels to not be able to “FIX” that boo-boo, moms can fix anything and when that doctor told us he was sorry they did all they could do, it is just not right …. This is something that NO parent should have to go through, NO parent is supposed to bury a child. People said how can you let him join the Marines at this time when there is a war and we told them he can die here at home or die with honor but we NEVER thought it would be because of a little 2x4 inch device. Not 24 hours before his accident his father told him to “Put that phone down, it is controlling your life” and then we get the call no parent or anyone wants to get. When we found our son’s phone and got it working again it started to flash indicating that a message had not been sent and the message was “Yeah T”. He was going to meet a friend for supper on Tuesday we later found out but all he managed to type was this. Our son was ejected and died of a massive skull fracture. His little girl now just has pictures of her daddy and all we have are memories and his clothes to hold… This is not right… Parents need to wake up and also adults need and realize this is an epidemic and is taking over our lives… If you don’t do it GREAT but what about the driver in the car you pass or passes you, are they texting??? Look at your last text and tell me, is it worth dying over of killing someone else??? Our son was just 23 preparing to go fight for our freedom when this needless accident happened.

Teresa Breen

[Laura]

Driving and texting is nothing like chewing gum and walking. And there's not grey area. You use or don't while driving. just like there's no such thing as a "little" lie. Great marketing to get the message out!

[Car Air Conditioning Repair]

We should learn from the new laws passed making it illegal to text and drive. it's dangerous. There's no need to take such risks to respond to a message. Wait for a light or a stop sign. OR, even better, park.

[Auto Repair AZ]

We should learn from the new laws passed making it illegal to text and drive. it's dangerous. There's no need to take such risks to respond to a message. Wait for a light or a stop sign. OR, even better, park.

[Auto Repair AZ]

We should learn from the new laws passed making it illegal to text and drive. it's dangerous. There's no need to take such risks to respond to a message. Wait for a light or a stop sign. OR, even better, park.

"don't forget to turn the car off, to save Gas along with lowering carbon emissions, as texting is time consuming."

[Fosamax Femur Fractures]

The car is wrecked, and it cannot be used again. A driver should not do anything while driving, he/she should be focused on the road. To avoid accidents like this one.