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Amberly’s Story

April 14th, 2012     Posted by under Cell phone use while driving, Victim story

Amberly always smiled, and she had good reason to. With two sisters, Jamie and Jessica, the girls were always finding things to laugh about. Her sisters remember her as a good listener who gave great advice.

She was an amazing young woman who had her whole life ahead of her. She attended Louisiana State University — she wanted to be a teacher. Even as a child Amberly would often be found playing school.

Amberly was your typical teen. She loved country music star Kenny Chesney, ketchup and the TV show “Friends.” She was great with kids. To those who knew her, she was one of a kind – completely irreplaceable.

“My sister is gone forever and it’s because of a cell phone – how do you come to terms with that,” questioned Jamie, one of Amberly’s big sisters. “She will never graduate from LSU, fulfill her dream of being a teacher or get to marry the man of her dreams.”

On April 14, 2011, Jamie and Jessica had been out shopping and decided to stop for a bite to eat. Their mom had called and asked if either had heard from Amberly, who was driving to Ruston, LA to visit a friend. It was a four-hour drive from her home in Baton Rouge. Amberly’s dad had been called by her friend who was worried because Amberly hadn’t shown up.

“At that moment, I felt sick to my stomach,” said Jamie. “We decided to head home. When we walked in, my mom was in the living room waiting by the phone. It couldn’t have been more than three minutes when we got the call that changed our lives forever.”

The family was told that Amberly was involved in a three-vehicle crash. Because she was alone in her car, the family will never know exactly what happened that took the life of their beloved daughter and sister. However, based on witness claims, data from the crash investigation and what the family was able to determine, they believe Amberly was using her cell phone and didn’t notice the 18-wheeler in front of her was slowing down – causing her to swerve into oncoming traffic and hit another vehicle head on.

It took rescue workers several minutes to free Amberly from the wreckage. She was immediately air-lifted to a nearby medical center where she was rushed into surgery. Amberly didn’t survive. In the blink of an eye, that smiled that they loved so much was gone.

Because Amberly’s cell phone was not in her purse, which was taken with her to the hospital, the medical team had a difficult time finding contact information for her family. It was four hours after the crash before her family was informed of what had happened.

Amberly knew the dangers of using her cell phone while driving – Jamie had warned her repeatedly.

“I hope that by sharing Amberly’s story people will understand just how dangerous cell phone distracted driving is. Sharing her story is how I honor her memory, not using a cell phone is how others can honor her memory,” said Jamie.

Cell phone use while driving contributes to more than 1.4 million crashes each year, according to the National Safety Council. Make a commitment to drive cell free.

Do it for Amberly, Jessica and Jamie.

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A young life taken too early

April 12th, 2012     Posted by under Cell phone use while driving, Cognitive distraction, Losing a loved one, Victim story

Guest blogger: Dave TeaterJoe and his dad Dave Teater

On Jan. 19, 2004, a cell phone distracted driver changed my family forever.

As my wife was driving my son to an after school activity, a driver distracted by her cell phone conversation ran a red light and slammed into the passenger’s side of my wife’s suburban, killing our youngest son, 12 year old Joe.  Losing a loved one is incredibly painful, but knowing my son’s death could have been prevented makes it almost unbearable.

Our son is one of thousands who die each year in motor vehicle crashes involving cell phone distracted drivers. It is a public health epidemic and while the issue is receiving national attention, more is needed. Distracted Driving Awareness Month (April) is a perfect time for every motorist to put safety first by pledging to drive cell free.

Advancements in technology have given us the opportunity to be constantly connected. Some believe it is expected that they are always reachable. But what if that connectivity is at the expense of others well-being? Should connectivity be prioritized over safety? Refraining from using a cell phone while driving may seem impossible to some. We’ve trained ourselves not to ignore a buzzing phone. As someone who lives to be on the bleeding edge of technology, I understand the addiction. It took losing my son and learning about the dangers of cell phone distracted driving before I changed my habits. I can assure you, the risks greatly outweigh the benefits.

Drivers using cell phones are four times as likely to crash. Sending or receiving text messages increases crash risk by at least eight times. No text, no conversation, no status update or email is worth putting your life, or another person’s life, in danger.

Sadly, many people still believe using a hands-free device eliminates risk. They couldn’t be more wrong.  More than 30 studies indicate hands-free devices offer no safety benefit, because drivers talking on cell phones – handheld or hands-free – are cognitively distracted. The mind focuses on the cell phone conversation and less on the task of driving. The brain can filter OUT up to 50 percent of the cell phone distracted driver’s environment, which is what happened to the driver who caused the crash that killed my son. Witnesses said she was looking straight out the windshield, and she never applied her brakes as she sped through the red light and hit my wife’s vehicle. She may have “looked” but she did not “see.”

People need to understand that multitasking is a myth. The brain cannot handle two cognitively demanding tasks simultaneously. Instead, the brain shifts from one task to the other and one task becomes primary, the other secondary. This juggling between cognitively-demanding tasks causes inattention blindness. That’s when drivers miss important cues such as stop lights, slowing traffic, pedestrians, people on bicycles, etc. Vehicles become lethal weapons when drivers experience cognitive distraction.

Chapel Hill, NC, recently became the first city in the nation to pass a total ban – handheld and hands-free. The law takes effect June 1 and should be a touchstone for future legislation.

While laws are important, change will not occur without more education. Education begins with every driver. Companies can take a leadership role by protecting their employees with corporate cell phone policies. Individuals can take action by helping to change the social acceptance of this behavior – inform people who call you that you’ll talk once they’ve reached your destination. Change your voicemail greeting to alert callers that you don’t answer your phone while driving. Simple steps like that can and will have an impact. Contact elected officials and ask them to support cell phone distracted driving legislation. Share the stories of those we’ve lost in senseless crashes.

Be the example that family, friends and fellow motorists should follow. Share the risks and make sure they understand that hands-free devices are not safer.

As I write this on  April 12, my son Joe would have been celebrating his 21st birthday.  Instead of celebrating with Joe, his mother and I will be visiting the cemetery and trying to imagine what he would have been like as a 21 year old.  As long as car crashes are one of the leading causes of preventable death and injury, doesn’t it make sense that when driving a vehicle we focus first on the safe operation of that vehicle and not on a phone call, email, text or other non-driving activity?  I encourage you to take the pledge to drive cell free, and do so like a life depends on it. Because it does.

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Telling Your Story

April 2nd, 2012     Posted by under Losing a loved one, News, Victim story

Many of the individuals we have met have mentioned that they share their personal story in the hope of changing behaviors. We know personal stories are a critical element in changing behaviors and organizations have shared personal stories for decades. MADD and many other nonprofits use personal stories as a vehicle for change. But when it comes to crafting your story, it can be challenging.

We recently had the pleasure of meeting John Capecci and Timothy Cage – authors of the book Living Proof: Telling Your Story to Make a Difference.They believe in the power of personal stories so much they are donating a portion of their April sales to FocusDriven

If you are an advocate who wants to engage in a meaningful way with a story that will move listeners, we encourage you to read Living Proof. There really isn’t a book like it on the market in that it’s a veritable ‘how to’ on the subject of how advocates can use their personal stories to move others into action and inspire change.

The authors did a great job explaining why stories work. They help readers choose what to tell when they are speaking, explain how to focus on goals and the audience, and they walk readers through how to develop key messages. There is a lot more good, practical advice for advocates as well as worksheets for readers to work through the different sections.

We’ve been looking for a resource to help our families/members feel empowered and better equipped to create change with their experience, and we think that we’ve found it with this book. If you are unsure about whether you want to share your personal story or where to begin, read Living Proof and the path may become clearer for you.

 

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Starting a fire – how one town will spark a nation

March 29th, 2012     Posted by under Cell phone use while driving, Legislature, News

In the college town of Chapel Hill, NC something extraordinary has happened in response to an inattentive driver who hit a young woman by the name of Krista Slough who was crossing the street on her way to classes in Sept., 2010.

The crash itself was not so different than many of the crashes involving distracted drivers- in fact Ms. Slough did survive the incident (albeit with a variety of lasting injuries), but from that incident a fire was lit within the community to do at no other town, large city, state or federal governing body has done: pass a complete ban on all cell phone use for drivers, both handheld and hands-free.

Former town council member Joe Capowski, who partially witnessed the original crash in front of his home, enlisted the help of media, advocates, town leaders and citizenry to bring attention and focus to an otherwise complacent feeling about this issue that is shared by many communities across the nation.

So what was otherwise a relatively small news blurb that may have stayed relevant in the minds of that community for a week or so, turned into a campaign that compelled the town leaders to actually consider what the groups like the NTSB, the National Safety Council and FocusDriven have been recommending for some time; to look seriously at a complete cell phone ban to bring down crash rates, injuries and deaths.

What this proves is that it’s the determination of local advocates and their dogged pursuit of goals that can create change for the better. There are advocates all over the U.S. who are taking their pain or loss to higher ground to try and make change take place and with this extraordinary ‘first’, their chances are looking better than ever.

Who knew that from the small town of Chapel Hill, NC that we would see a light all across the nation?

So keep the fires that set you on your course burning and don’t lose sight of your goals because for everyone who does and reaches their summit, the light from their fire can lead the way for many others to follow.

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Our Roadway Safety Community

March 24th, 2012     Posted by under Cell phone use while driving, Cognitive distraction, Social acceptance

We all have a role to play in making our roadway community safe. Cell phone distracted driving is a major threat to the safety of motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, runners and others on our roads. Many people have taken the pledge not to drive while distracted. The time has come to step it up and change the social acceptance of this very deadly behavior. Many people have reached out to FocusDriven wanting to help. This is a great way for everyone to make meaningful change that will reach thousands.

For change to happen, it needs to involve everyone. It’s the person receiving the call from someone who is driving and saying “Hey what you are doing isn’t safe. You need to be focused on your driving. I really want to hear what you have to say, but not while you are driving. Call me after you get to where you are going.”

We need to have the courage when we are passengers to speak up if the driver chooses to make or receive a call or text. If you ever find yourself in that situation ask if you can handle the call or text it for the driver. If the driver refuses, ask to be let out. You may think that sounds extreme, but people are killed everyday by drivers who use their cell phones. Are you willing to put your life on the line for that call or text? Being asked to be let out if the driver refuses also sends the message that you are serious about your request.

Another way we can change the social acceptance of cell phone use while driving is to share what we know. Do you have the courage to go up to people you know – friends, family members and coworkers – who use their cell phones while driving and ask them to take the pledge to drive cell free? What would it take for you to feel comfortable doing that? Your engaging them in that conversation could save their lives.

We all have a role to play in making our roadway community safe. Make yours matter. Help change the social acceptance about cell phone distracted driving.

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Miss South Dakota USA® Joins FocusDriven as Spokesperson

March 23rd, 2012     Posted by under News, Taylor Neisen

Meet Taylor Neisen the current reigning Miss South Dakota USA® 2012

Like many people her age Taylor is a social, goal orientated young person who understands the pressure to always being ‘connected’ to everyone around her. What makes Taylor stand out is even as her life is becoming busier and more demanding than ever, she is committed to driving completely cell free.

Taylor is a college student studying exercise sciences and says she is taking the pledge and the cause very seriously as someone who is not only concerned about the danger it presents, but who is also saddened by the deaths and injuries caused by cell phone distracted driving and wanting to make a difference by pledging to drive cell free.

As she competes and makes appearances Taylor will be speaking out in favor of cell free driving and urging others to not only take the pledge, but take it to heart.

FocusDriven is thrilled to have Taylor’s help spreading the message about the importance of driving cell free.

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Where Your Eyes and Mind Should Be

February 20th, 2012     Posted by under Cell phone use while driving, Legislature, News


There is always a good amount of discussion on both sides of the issue of distracted driving and this week is no exception. If you haven’t seen these items in the news, or had the time to give them some thought, please take a couple of minutes to consider them now. They are important current events that affect distracted driving.

 

House Bill amendment that would limit DOT powers.

Every few years, the federal government’s surface transportation programs, including highway and inter-modal initiatives, must be reauthorized by
Congressional legislation, which sets the government’s priorities on transportation issues. Both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate are taking up their respective surface transportation reauthorization bills this week.

The Senate bill contains a $39 million distracted driving grant program to provide incentive funding to states that adopt laws that prohibit all cell phone use by teen drivers and texting by drivers of all ages.

While the House bill does not contain a distracted driving incentive grant program for states, several members of Congress are offering amendments to the bill that address this issue. The most troubling of the amendments is an amendment by Rep. Robert Woodall that would severely undermine the role of the federal government in the fight against distracted driving.

Rep. Woodall’s amendment #30 would prohibit the U.S. Department of Transportation from regulating the use of cellular phones in vehicles.  This would mean that agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) could not set new distracted driving standards, thus we would lose a potential partner in the fight against distracted driving.

We have set up a very easy way for you to help bring this issue forward to your state’s Representative by clicking here to compose and send a letter asking them to stand against this amendment.  It will literally take 3 minutes of your time and very few clicks. Please do so and pass this link on to others you know.

 

NHTSA/DOT propose guidelines for auto makers

Exactly pertaining to the above issue, the DOT and NHTSA released a 180 page report just yesterday that proposes some guidelines for auto makers to help them decide the design of the newest craze in cars, suv’s and trucks: the built-in “infotainment systems” that allow the driver to do everything from placing a call to sending a text or email, and even updating their favorite social networking sites while driving.  This is troubling for two reasons.

First and foremost it appears that the DOT (which has been speaking out about distracted driving in all its forms visual, mechanical and cognitive) is now retreating from its position claiming that cognitive (or mental) distractions caused by mobile devices are not a serious threat. They base this position on the results of a few naturalistic studies done in passenger vehicles and large trucks that observed a small number of  crash and ‘near crash’ events. However, these studies completely negate the larger body of research done both in the lab and from investigating thousands of actual crashes which sets cognitive distractions/talking on a cell phone at four times the risk of driving alone (or almost 4 times higher than what’s noted in the naturalistic studies).  

Secondly, and more importantly to FocusDriven members, is the fact that this flies in the face of so many victim families whose loved ones were killed due to drivers whose minds were distracted by cell phone conversations as they looked straight ahead. The DOT video series, “Faces of Distraction,” have stories of families whose loved one(s) were killed by drivers affected by inattention blindness when they ran red lights or crossed center lines.

Comments are being sought  about these recommendations but the DOT seems to be giving the auto industry an approval and a blue print for installing more social networking applications, ticket buying apps, Internet searches and entertainment applications of all sorts – all of which have nothing to do with the operation of vehicles or keeping drivers focused on the task of driving safely.

To submit a comment about these recommendations (and to view the files) go to the regulations.gov page for this docket here, and press the “submit comment” button.

 

 

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Honor Chris Cooper – Drive Cell Free

December 13th, 2011     Posted by under Victim story

The following post was provided with permission from Kristin King. We share this story in the hope that it will inspire people to drive cell free. With the holiday season upon us and many of us taking to the roads to be with family and friends, now is the perfect time to make the personal commitment to drive cell free. Start your New Year’s Resolution early. Do it in memory of Chris and in honor of his wife Kristin and his little girl Colleen.

Chris Cooper died on Dec. 29, 2009. Chris, you are forever in our hearts and minds.

Originally posted on March 8, 2010 by Kristin King.

Honor Chris today – Pledge to never drive distracted again

Today is Chris’ birthday.  He would have been 35.  It would have been his first birthday that Colleen would actually remember.  It would have been a day filled with joy, laughter, and Chris’ infectious,  beaming smile. While every day is hard, today is especially heartbreaking.

I have not described the car accident that took his life in detail in these notes.  Today I am ready.  Today I want to tell you all about how you can honor Chris by helping to avoid the type of accident that caused two people to lose their lives on December 29, 2009.

On that day, Chris and I were driving from Corpus Christi to Dallas to be with his sister – who was in labor with her first baby.  We were having a great time in the car.  We were so happy about being able to be in Dallas for little Sophie’s birth.  Chris had just won his fantasy football league championship.  Colleen was safe at home in Corpus with my parents.  Our weekend could not have been any better.  We stopped for food in Seguin, and were continuing our trip on Highway 123 between Seguin and San Marcos.  I remember being in the car with Chris, talking about Colleen and our great weekend…laughing and joking like we always did.  The next thing I remember is hearing voices, and thinking to myself – “They are talking to me.  I need to wake up”.

I don’t remember anything about the accident, but the the officer who investigated our case was incredibly thorough. Here is what he found:

On that day, an 18 year old girl drove from Seguin to San Marcos to purchase a car – a 1990 Jeep Cherokee.  She was driving home, following a car with a few of her family members.  As she drove, she was using her iPhone.

On Highway 123, she got distracted by her phone, and didn’t anticipate a curve in the roadway.  She was in the right hand lane, and started to veer towards a guardrail on her right.  When she looked up from her iPhone, she overcorrected, and jerked her wheel to the left.  She crossed three lanes of traffic on the undivided highway at over 70 miles an hour and slammed directly into our car. There were no skid marks – she was too distracted to try to stop or avoid our car.

The officers found an active text message on her iPhone after the accident.  The police report officially states that she was “using her cell phone. ” She was not wearing a seatbelt, and was ejected from the car.  The ejection ripped off most of her clothes.  She was not drunk – but she was under the influence. She was under the influence of the untrue belief that it is possible to drive and use a cell phone at the same time.

We all think that we can.  We all think that we are good enough drivers to be able to text, read and write email, surf the internet, and make calls while we are driving.  Chris did.  I did.  The 18 year old girl who hit us that day did.  And I would bet that most of you reading do.  The truth is: we can’t.  No one can.  It doesn’t matter if you are 16 or 45, using a cell phone while you are driving is too distracting to risk.

I know you are thinking – “There is no way I can give it up.  I am a good enough driver.  I have years of experience.  It will never happen to me.”  I am here to tell you – it can.

Chris was not on his phone during the accident.  He was not distracted, and his focus allowed him to see the oncoming car, and maneuver our car quickly to the right before the impact.  That maneuver, the last thing that he did, saved my life.

Today, on his birthday, I ask you to honor Chris’ memory by pledging to never drive distracted again.  Honor his memory by never riding in a car with someone who is driving distracted again.  Every time someone texts you, or calls while you are driving, think to yourself, “Is sending this text worth risking my life?  Is taking this call worth risking the life of another driver?”  No call, no text, no email, was worth losing two lives on that day.

My heart aches for the family of the girl who also died that day.  She didn’t think that she was doing anything wrong.  She never had a chance to live her life.  I mourn for her, just as I do for Chris.

I ask you today to pledge in memory of Chris to never let your phone distract you while you are driving again.  For your own sake, and for the other drivers around you – do not take the chance that your actions could take another life or your own.

Chris was a wonderful husband, amazing father, loving son and brother, and fiercely loyal friend.  There is not a minute in a day that I don’t think about him.  I miss him desperately.  But, Colleen and I are living our life.  We laugh and smile and enjoy the blessed moments that we have together every day.  We thank God for the time we had with Chris, and trust in God that he has not left us, and will never leave us alone.

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Maximize Your Impact

December 2nd, 2011     Posted by under Get involved, Giving

Many people have often reached out wanting to help FocusDriven, but they weren’t sure what they could do. Aside from simple acts such as sharing our Facebook posts and Tweets, you can also help FocusDriven financially. We are asking those of you who are considering making a donation to maximize your impact. We know times are tough, and we are only asking that you give what you can. But here are 10 ways to maximize your impact if you care about safety on our nation’s roadways.

Top 10 Ways to Maximize Your Impact
  1. Make a personal donation.
  2. Set a fundraising goal for yourself.
  3. Ask your family and friends to match or double your contribution.
  4. Ask your employees to make a donation.
  5. Ask your employer to match or double what you raise at your organization.
  6. Ask your local businesses or vendors if they would be willing to make a donation in memory/in honor of someone you know.
  7. If you work in an office park, challenge other businesses to raise money.
  8. Coordinate a fundraiser in your community.
  9. Share what you did with your friends and family on Facebook and ask them to do the same.
  10. Send a tweet to your followers asking them to donate.

 

As always, thank you for your continued support and for caring about this issue.

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Remembering Erica

November 22nd, 2011     Posted by under Victim story

The following post is a modified version of an earlier post. We ask that you forward it to your friends and family members in memory of a little girl who was a ray of sunshine to those who knew her.

Thanksgiving will never be the same for the Forney family. You see, three years ago their daughter, Erica, was struck and killed by a cell phone distracted driver. Erica died on Thanksgiving day. Think about that for just a moment – a precious member of the Forney family is gone forever…because of a phone call.

If you think it can’t happen to you, you’re wrong. If you think you can drive safely and use a cell phone at the same time, you’re wrong. If you think your hands-free device makes you safer, you’re wrong. Numerous research studies have shown it’s a dangerous behavior. For the Forney family, and countless other families across the country, reality proves it’s a deadly behavior.

An aspiring artist

Erica Leanne Forney, was the glue that held her family of four together. Erica was 9 years old and the middle child – and she filled that role well. The oldest Forney daughter, Jessica, spent every waking moment with Erica. Valerie Grace, the youngest of their girls, adored Erica and watched her every move.

Erica had lots of friends and interests. She wanted a barn owl for a pet… how fun would that be! She was an aspiring artist. She had taken art classes for years. In fact, her family had plans to sign her up at a local art school. Erica not only was heading toward becoming an artist, but she also had a love of music and wanted to play the harp. She was known for her humor and entertained family and friends with her knock-knock jokes and funny faces. She had so many ambitions and goals – then her life was cut short. Just as their sweet child was starting to figure out who she was and what she loved, she was taken away from people who loved her dearly.

It was two days before Thanksgiving in 2008 and Erica was riding her bike home from school.  About 15 pedals from the safety of the Forney home, Erica was struck by a driver using a cell phone. In that instant, the lives of her family, friends and those in her community were changed forever.

Getting through the heartbreak

Words cannot convey the heartbreak the Forney family has experienced. That little girl, the glue that held their family together, was gone.

It’s been nearly three years since Erica was killed, and the pain is as strong as the day they lost her. They say that time heals all wounds. Not this one. Losing a child is the worst kind of pain a parent can endure. Parents are not supposed to bury their children.

Shelley, Erica’s mom, thinks about Erica all the time. She wonders what Erica would look like now. Shelley thinks about where Erica’s life would be at this point, three years later. It’s hard for Shelley to see Erica’s classmates at school and how much they all have changed and grown. It’s painful for Shelley to continue on without the love, joy and beauty that Erica gave her, but Shelley tries her best. Shelley has two other amazing children and a husband who need her, and she wants to be here with them.

A message worth sending

Honor Erica’s memory by sharing her story. Each day that someone chooses not to use their cell phone is another day that a family gets to stay together, a day that families get to celebrate another Thanksgiving.

We’re asking that you support FocusDriven through a financial contribution. Help send the message that NO Phone Call or Text Message Is Worth More Than Someone’s Life.

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