The Obama administration and the Department of Transportation have launched a campaign against distracted driving and the dangers it poses. In addition to the messages delivered by Obama and the new website, NHTSA also released a public service television ad last week to coincide with the effort.
The main focus of the three-front campaign against dangerous behavior while driving is on the distractions offered by talking and texting on cell phones while driving. The campaign aims to reduce the nearly 6,000 deaths that occurred last year due to distracted driving, as well as over 500,000 injuries.
“Every single time someone takes their eyes or their focus off the road, even for just a few seconds, they put their lives and the lives of others in danger,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. “Distracted driving is unsafe, irresponsible and in a split second, its consequences can be devastating.”
To reiterate his strong stance on the subject, President Obama signed an executive order that bars 3 million federal employees from texting while operating a government vehicle – and even while driving a private vehicle if conducting government work. Obama is also urging contractors that are doing business with the federal government to enforce similar policies for their own workers.
Some automakers are also putting effort into reducing distracted driving, with Ford offering hands-free communications interfacing via Sync and Chrysler announcing a ban on texting that follows the same rules as the Obama administration’s new law.
At this time there is not a national ban for private drivers to text while driving, but several states have adopted their own policies in the matter. Beginning January 1, 2010, Illinois, New Hampshire and Oregon will make statewide bans on texting while driving the law – joining others who have already enacted similar legislation.
