Traction http://blog.focusdriven.org The official blog of FocusDriven Tue, 14 May 2013 14:26:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 The Great Multitasking Lie http://blog.focusdriven.org/great-multitasking-lie/ http://blog.focusdriven.org/great-multitasking-lie/#comments Tue, 14 May 2013 14:26:09 +0000 Amy Williams http://blog.focusdriven.org/?p=1150 Distracted driving certainly includes texting, but what many people don’t realize is that a cell phone conversation while driving, regardless of hands-free technology, is also very dangerous. The National Safety Council shares the following infographic with everyone to educate the public on the myth of multitasking, and help prevent the dangers that can occur due …

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]]> Hands-free driverDistracted driving certainly includes texting, but what many people don’t realize is that a cell phone conversation while driving, regardless of hands-free technology, is also very dangerous. The National Safety Council shares the following infographic with everyone to educate the public on the myth of multitasking, and help prevent the dangers that can occur due to the use of cell phones behind the wheel. Take a look:

The Great Multitasking Myth

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]]> http://blog.focusdriven.org/great-multitasking-lie/feed/ 0 Perspectives: Law enforcement http://blog.focusdriven.org/perspectives-law-enforcement/ http://blog.focusdriven.org/perspectives-law-enforcement/#comments Sun, 12 May 2013 14:01:59 +0000 Amy Williams http://blog.focusdriven.org/?p=1129 In this Perspectives on Cell Phone Distracted Driving video series, two law enforcement officers discuss the dangers of cell phone use behind the wheel and how they use high visibility campaigns to eliminate this deadly distraction and make our roads safer.

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]]> night In this Perspectives on Cell Phone Distracted Driving video series, two law enforcement officers discuss the dangers of cell phone use behind the wheel and how they use high visibility campaigns to eliminate this deadly distraction and make our roads safer.

 

 

 

Click here to view the embedded video.

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]]> http://blog.focusdriven.org/perspectives-law-enforcement/feed/ 0 Under-reporting of Cell Phone Involvement http://blog.focusdriven.org/underreporting/ http://blog.focusdriven.org/underreporting/#comments Wed, 08 May 2013 14:16:00 +0000 Amy Williams http://blog.focusdriven.org/?p=1137 Accurately quantifying the problem of cell phone distracted driving is a major issue. The National Safety Council recently did an analysis of stories in the FocusDriven database which shows how the number of fatal car crashes due to cell phone use may be drastically under-reported. The reasons for the data gap include reluctance of drivers to …

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]]> manipulating_phoneAccurately quantifying the problem of cell phone distracted driving is a major issue. The National Safety Council recently did an analysis of stories in the FocusDriven database which shows how the number of fatal car crashes due to cell phone use may be drastically under-reported. The reasons for the data gap include reluctance of drivers to admit cell phone use and the absence of breathalyzer-like tests for cell phone use behind the wheel.

Read the report.

Under-Reporting of Cell Phone Involvement in Fatal Car Crashes

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]]> http://blog.focusdriven.org/underreporting/feed/ 0 Perspectives: Jane Grover, Evanston IL http://blog.focusdriven.org/perspectives-jane-grover-evanston-il/ http://blog.focusdriven.org/perspectives-jane-grover-evanston-il/#comments Wed, 08 May 2013 13:53:30 +0000 Amy Williams http://blog.focusdriven.org/?p=1115 In this National Safety Council Perspectives video, Jane Grover, alderman of Evanston, IL, shares her thoughts about cell phone distracted driving and the need for strong laws prohibiting cell phone use while driving.      

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]]> Jane Grover, Evanston, ILIn this National Safety Council Perspectives video, Jane Grover, alderman of Evanston, IL, shares her thoughts about cell phone distracted driving and the need for strong laws prohibiting cell phone use while driving.

 

 

 

Click here to view the embedded video.

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]]> http://blog.focusdriven.org/perspectives-jane-grover-evanston-il/feed/ 0 Faces of Distracted Driving: Jacy, Jean and Jay Good http://blog.focusdriven.org/faces-of-distracted-driving-jacy-jean-and-jay-good/ http://blog.focusdriven.org/faces-of-distracted-driving-jacy-jean-and-jay-good/#comments Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:58:41 +0000 Amy Williams http://blog.focusdriven.org/?p=1061 On May 18, 2008, Jacy Good and her parents attended her graduation ceremony at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. On the way home, a young driver talking on his cell phone ran a red light, causing a tractor-trailer to swerve and crash into the Goods' vehicle. Jacy was critically injured, and both of her parents, Jean and Jay Good, were killed instantly. Jacy spent four months in the hospital and still spends much of her time in physical and occupational therapy.

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]]> Cell phone crash victim: Jacy Good

On May 18, 2008, Jacy Good and her parents attended her graduation ceremony at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. On the way home, a young driver talking on his cell phone ran a red light, causing a tractor-trailer to swerve and crash into the Goods’ vehicle. Jacy was critically injured, and both of her parents, Jean and Jay Good, were killed instantly. Jacy spent four months in the hospital and still spends much of her time in physical and occupational therapy.

Jacy is a FocusDriven board member and speaks across the country sharing her story.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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]]> http://blog.focusdriven.org/faces-of-distracted-driving-jacy-jean-and-jay-good/feed/ 0 Faces of Distracted Driving: Casey Feldman http://blog.focusdriven.org/faces-of-distracted-driving-casey-feldman/ http://blog.focusdriven.org/faces-of-distracted-driving-casey-feldman/#comments Sat, 27 Apr 2013 19:53:26 +0000 Amy Williams http://blog.focusdriven.org/?p=1108 On July 17, 2009, 21-year-old Casey Feldman was struck and killed by a distracted driver as she crossed the street in Ocean City, New Jersey.

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]]> Casey_FeldmanOn July 17, 2009, 21-year-old Casey Feldman was struck and killed by a distracted driver as she crossed the street in Ocean City, New Jersey.

We encourage you to share Casey’s story and encourage those you know to drive cell free. No call or text is more important than someone’s life.

 

 

Click here to view the embedded video.

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]]> http://blog.focusdriven.org/faces-of-distracted-driving-casey-feldman/feed/ 0 Faces of Distracted Driving: Joe Teater http://blog.focusdriven.org/faces-of-distracted-driving-joe-teater/ http://blog.focusdriven.org/faces-of-distracted-driving-joe-teater/#comments Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:53:37 +0000 Amy Williams http://blog.focusdriven.org/?p=1056 On January 19, 2004, Judy Teater and her 12-year-old son Joe were driving to an after school activity when a young woman behind the wheel of a Hummer and talking on her cell phone ran a red light and slammed into their vehicle. Joe died the next day from his injuries.

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]]> Cell phone crash victim: Joe Teater

On January 19, 2004, Judy Teater and her 12-year-old son Joe were driving to an after school activity when a young woman behind the wheel of a Hummer and talking on her cell phone ran a red light and slammed into their vehicle. Joe died the next day from his injuries.

Judy is a founding member of FocusDriven. Her husband, David Teater, is also heavily involved in preventing further crashes. He serves as the senior director of transportation initiatives for the National Safety Council.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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]]> http://blog.focusdriven.org/faces-of-distracted-driving-joe-teater/feed/ 0 Faces of Distracted Driving: Cady Reynolds http://blog.focusdriven.org/faces-of-distracted-driving-cady-reynolds/ http://blog.focusdriven.org/faces-of-distracted-driving-cady-reynolds/#comments Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:49:11 +0000 Amy Williams http://blog.focusdriven.org/?p=1051 On May 30, 2007, 16-year-old Cady Reynolds was driving her best friend home from a movie near Omaha, NE when another teen driver--who was severely distracted behind the wheel--ran a red light and slammed into her car at 50MPH. Cady was rushed to the hospital with critical injuries and died the next day.

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]]> distracted driving victim: Cady Reynolds

On May 30, 2007, 16-year-old Cady Reynolds was driving her best friend home from a movie near Omaha, NE when another teen driver–who was severely distracted behind the wheel–ran a red light and slammed into her car at 50MPH. Cady was rushed to the hospital with critical injuries and died the next day.

Emily Reynolds, Cady’s 17-year-old sister, is now an advocate against distracted driving and is an active member of NOYS, the National Organizations for Youth Safety. Her father, Rob Reynolds is executive director at FocusDriven.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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]]> http://blog.focusdriven.org/faces-of-distracted-driving-cady-reynolds/feed/ 0 Faces of Distracted Driving: Eric Okerblom http://blog.focusdriven.org/faces-of-distracted-driving-eric-okerblom/ http://blog.focusdriven.org/faces-of-distracted-driving-eric-okerblom/#comments Sat, 20 Apr 2013 19:52:52 +0000 Amy Williams http://blog.focusdriven.org/?p=1101 On July 25, 2009, 19-year-old Eric Okerblom was killed when his bike was struck by a truck traveling at 60 miles per hour. Cell phone records indicate that the driver was texting just prior to the collision.

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]]> Eric_OkerblomOn July 25, 2009, 19-year-old Eric Okerblom was killed when his bike was struck by a truck traveling at 60 miles per hour. Cell phone records indicate that the driver was texting just prior to the collision.

Since their son’s death, Bob and Eilene Okerblom have become advocates against distracted driving, supporting the STANDUP Act, FocusDriven, No Phone Zone, Impact Teen Drivers and other local efforts.

 

Click here to view the embedded video.

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]]> http://blog.focusdriven.org/faces-of-distracted-driving-eric-okerblom/feed/ 0 Faces of Distracted Driving: Ashley Johnson http://blog.focusdriven.org/faces-of-distracted-driving-ashley-johnson/ http://blog.focusdriven.org/faces-of-distracted-driving-ashley-johnson/#comments Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:46:38 +0000 Amy Williams http://blog.focusdriven.org/?p=1043 On May 10, 2010, 16-year-old Ashley Johnson was killed when she lost control of her vehicle, crossed the center line, and hit a pickup truck head-on. Although her father had warned her against cell phone use behind the wheel, she was texting at the time of the crash.

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]]> Cell phone crash victim: Ashley Johnson

On May 10, 2010, 16-year-old Ashley Johnson was killed when she lost control of her vehicle, crossed the center line, and hit a pickup truck head-on. Although her father had warned her against cell phone use behind the wheel, she was texting at the time of the crash.

Amos Johnson, Ashley’s father, now speaks to local teens about the dangers of distracted driving. We encourage you to share Ashley’s story as an example of the dangers of cell phone distracted driving.

No call or text is so important that it can’t wait. 

Click here to view the embedded video.

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]]> http://blog.focusdriven.org/faces-of-distracted-driving-ashley-johnson/feed/ 0