Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has thrown the U.N.'s weight behind a global push to stamp out distracted driving. Ban also has ordered the U.N.'s 40,000 staffers to stop texting while behind the wheel of the organization's vehicles. Ban said at a New York gathering for the global distracted driving campaign: "We are seeing a major emerging challenge of driver distraction, mainly by using mobile phones. Together we have a message to all drivers of the world -- don't let using a mobile for a few seconds make you and others immobile for life." (Photo, from left: Jennifer Smith, Ban Ki-moon, … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2010
Distracted parents driving teens to texting
May 10, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Teenagers tend to follow their parents' lead when it comes to driving ... and texting? NPR's "Morning Edition" just did a segment on teens, texting and distracted driving, citing anecdotal evidence that youth who see their parents engaged in dangerous behaviors while behind the wheel see that as a green light to do the same. One teen told NPR: "If a parent is always on their cell phone, the teen's like, oh, it's fine. My parents do it all the time. And if their parents haven't crashed, then it's kind of like, okay. It's not going to happen." Amanda Lenhart of the Pew Research Center's … [Read more...]
Teens, texting at night a deadly duo
May 8, 2010 by Leave a Comment
U.S. teenagers' most dangerous move behind the wheel? Not speeding, not drinking, not racing. It's simply driving after dark, according to a new study of highway fatalities. From 1999 to 2008, the proportion of fatal crashes at night involving teen drivers increased 10 percent, according to a study released May 6 by the Texas Transportation Institute. Fatalities involving all drivers fell during those 10 years. Most of the blame for the teen spike should go to use of cell phones and texting devices, researchers speculate. "We know driving at night is dangerous," said Bernie Fette of the … [Read more...]
The distracted driving dictionary
May 8, 2010 by 3 Comments
Like all social issues, distracted driving has a unique terminology that's used by those involved in the conversation -- legislators, police, activists, researchers and so on. Here, in context, are some of the key words and phrases used in the national debate over distracted driving: Distracted driving: Covers a wide range of activities that draw away a driver's attention from the road. Bills that seek bans on handheld cell phones and text messaging devices typically are classified as distracted driving legislation. In a broader sense, activities such as putting on makeup, operating a … [Read more...]
Wisconsin 25th state to ban texting
May 5, 2010 by 4 Comments
Wisconsin's governor signed into law a ban on texting while driving, making it the 25th state to outlaw the practice. Jim Doyle joined a growing line of governors who enacted distracted driving laws this legislative season. Right before him was Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, whose texting-ban signing ceremony was broadcast live on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Wisconsin's new distracted driving law (from Assembly Bill 496) provides for fines ranging from $20 to $400. The offense is targeted for primary enforcement, which means law office can stop violators for that reason alone. Enforcement … [Read more...]
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