When Maryland legislators approved a texting and driving bill last year, they screwed up. The law banned writing and sending of text messages while driving, but not the reading of texts. Drivers also were free to text away at red lights, with their motors running and transmissions in drive. The well-intentioned legislators behind the Maryland texting law struggled with proper wording of a texting and driving bill, as have many other lawmakers nationwide. You'd think legislation designed to close these loopholes would sail through the General Assembly, but not this year. Meet state Sen. … [Read more...]
Bieber stays the course with text pledge
February 2, 2011 by 2 Comments
Kid singing star Justin Bieber hasn't forgotten about his promise to campaign against teenage texting and driving. On a recent episode of "Makeover: Home Edition," he found time to help the Brown Family of Wellman, Texas, whose daughter and sister Alexandra died in a crash caused by a texting driver. "Makeover" built the family a new home while they went on a freebie trip to New York to meet Bieber and see his concert. Alexandra's kid sister Katrina, 12, got to hang out with the singer before the show. "It's been a big part of my life to influence others not to text and drive," the singer … [Read more...]
FocusDriven video: Faces of the 5,500
January 20, 2011 by 2 Comments
On its first anniversary, the distracted driving victims advocacy group FocusDriven released this new 30-second PSA whose macro message is "How many more have to die?" It drives home the point that 5,500 people died last year due to inattentive driving. FocusDriven president Jennifer Smith said: "In our new PSA, we want to remind people that each and every distracted driving fatality is someone’s loved one, and that person’s family is in tremendous pain." Keep up the good work, folks. … [Read more...]
Our winner: Miss South Dakota
January 17, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The reigning Miss South Dakota didn't triumph at the Miss America Pageant, but she's a queen on this blog. Loren Vaillancourt lost her brother in a distracted driving accident. She made distracted driving her "cause" for the pageant, noting in the video below: "I want to be your next Miss America because I can save lives." Vaillancourt drew praise from DOT chief Ray La Hood, who blogged that she "has done a terrific job raising awareness among young people in South Dakota." You can read posts of encouragement from her fans on this Facebook page from State Farm: SF Teen Driving. (The new … [Read more...]
Fighting driving & texting in style
December 9, 2010 by 2 Comments
U.S. Transportation chief Ray LaHood signs BMW's Don't TXT & Drive vehicle, which tours teen driving schools. LaHood inspired the campaign, BMW said Dec. 9. Although BMW stepped up as an ally, LaHood has vowed to rein in interactive devices that automakers are bringing to market. (Photo: Jim Sulley) … [Read more...]
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