Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the results of a new Consumer Reports poll while speaking at headquarters in Yonkers, New York, on March 7. Secretary LaHood has partnered with Consumer Reports in a campaign against distracted driving that is based on educating parents, teachers and young people about the dangers.
In 2009, there were close to 5,500 fatalities and nearly 500,000 injuries sustained in accidents related to a distracted driver in the U.S. According to the Transportation Department, 18 percent of fatal accidents involved the use of a cell phone.
The Survey
A survey found that young people are less likely to believe that using a handheld phone while driving is dangerous. Only 36 percent of respondents under age 30 reported that they were very concerned about the issue and only 30 percent felt that it was very dangerous to use a cell phone while driving.
For those surveyed under age 30, 63 percent admitted to having talked on a cell phone in the past month and of that group, 30 percent admitted to having texted while driving in the past month.
Distracted driving is becoming a nationwide epidemic and many state and city politicians are passing legislation restricting the use of a cell phone while driving. Currently, eight states have banned all cell phone use and 30 states have banned text messaging while driving.
The survey shows that 58 percent of respondents witnessed a dangerous situation resulting from a distracted driver in the past month.
The Campaign Against Distraction
Secretary LaHood and Jim Guest, president of Consumers Union, announced their combined effort to educate the public about distracted driving and the many deaths it has caused.
"This partnership is devoted to spreading the word about the dangers of distracted driving and specific steps you can take to make a difference," said Guest.
Victims' families have made short videos explaining their struggle to cope with the loss of their loved one along with a plea to the public to drive safely. The videos, called "The Faces of Distracted Driving," can be found on the Transportation Department's YouTube channel.
The Transportation Department also offers a free guide for parents and teachers with information about talking with your teen. Distracted driving public service announcements have been sent to local television outlets and will be aired in retail stores nationwide, where it is expected to reach up to 100 million people.
