Occasionally on Fastlane, I like to highlight grassroots safety efforts around the country to congratulate the people making a difference in their communities. I have been particularly amazed by the groundswell of efforts by ordinary citizens of all ages and walks of life who have joined our fight to stop distracted driving.
From Texas to Wisconsin and Idaho to Florida, they are doing incredible work to keep their fellow Americans safe on our roadways.
In Texas, renowned cartoonist Clyde Peterson's simple campaign to get drivers to stop texting in Houston school zones has grown into a full-fledged effort to ban texting throughout the state.
"My gosh," says Clyde, "I just wanted to put up a few signs near our local elementary school. Then I had to try and push the Houston City Council. I didn't think it would lead to contacting state legislators and organizing meetings with the community."
"But, at least I'm not alone," he says. "There's Kelsey Foster, a West Texas teen who nearly got herself killed while texting and driving. She's promised to park her damaged car at her school as a reminder to other students. And we've got Alex Brown's family and their work to educate students around the state."
He's referring, of course, to Jeanne and Johnny Mac Brown, who were recently featured on national television for their work to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving. The Browns, with daughter Katrina, are also the subject of our latest "Faces of Distracted Driving" video.
In Wisconsin Rapids, two junior high school students, Hannah Kiiskila and Lizzie Tapia, are showing our "Faces of Distracted Driving" video featuring fellow Wisconsinite Laurie Hevier to try to get the City Council to ban cell phone use behind the wheel. Laurie's mother, Julie Davis, was killed in Wisconsin Rapids by a distracted driver.
Wisconsin already bans texting while driving, but Hannah and Lizzie know from watching our video that texting is not the only dangerous device distraction on Wisconsin roadways. Lizzie believes a cell phone ban would be her generation's equivalent to the seat belt law. Hannah points out to everyone she talks to that, "Its just not worth somebody's life."
Kristin Murphy holds a picture of Chelsey, photo courtesy Greg Kahn, Naples News
Her message is simple: "The cell phone is glued to your hand; just put it down."
Kristin, like many other safety advocates, is frustrated. “I am so discouraged, all those other states have done it," she says. "How many more people have to die? ”
But to Kristin and Clyde and Hannah and Lizzie, I thank you for stepping up and helping to save lives on our roadways. I hope others will follow your example and join us in this fight.
I applaud everyone who is working to eliminate distracted driving. Ray, I appreciate your supporting these worthy endeavors. Please don't stop with distracted driving. There are others of us who have been striving to save the lives of people who are innocent victims of preventable fatalities involving vehicles. I have contacted you about this before, and since I have no funds for advertising it is very difficult to gain media attention on my own. More importantly, the Indiana State Police, with whom I have been consulting since my grandson drowned in his car, work within restrictions and rules that don't apply to the general media world. The IPS has produced a life-saving video that is accurately based on experience, training and research. They are working with 911 dispatchers to provide appropriate training for immersion calls. They are reviewing drivers' ed manuals to ensure that accurate survival information is included. Together we are trying to contact rescuers throughout the country and to eliminate the plethora of inaccurate information and videos that abound on the internet. I have consulted with experts around the world and have gained the support of professional marine training companies, the US Navy, Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht of Manitoba University, Janette Fennell of KidsAndCars.org, and many others. But your support is crucial to getting this vital life-saving information spread as widely as possible. Please contact me for further information. Three hundred people drown each year in their vehicles. We can reduce that number dramatically without great expense; communication is the answer. Thanks so much.
Posted by: Mary Kay Kidwell | February 07, 2011 at 11:36 AM
As a road safety advocate and activist here in Hollywood, I want to thank Mr. LaHood for taking the time to recognize the footsoldiers in the war against this epidemic. The only way we will truly create change is by changing the culture. It is our job as parents to keep the message alive long enough so that it becomes common place in the minds of our children. When I was a kid seatbelts were optional...Now, after a generation of "buckle up" messaging, MY kids put their seatbelts on without a thought and constantly remind me to do the same...Culture changed! We need to do the same with cell phone use and the people you recognized today are great examples of how it will get done!
"PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE...AND PUT ON THIS SHIRT!"
www.kawziz.com
Posted by: Kyle Pagach | February 07, 2011 at 12:12 PM
Distracted driving is as bad as drunk driving and our gadgets are killing us
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Posted by: Evans Owiti | February 13, 2011 at 09:38 AM