Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Reaffirms Commitment To Combat Distracted Driving

At an event marking the one-year anniversary of FocusDriven, the first national nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for victims of distracted driving, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood reaffirmed his commitment to putting an end to the deadly epidemic of distracted driving.

Joined by family members of distracted driving victims, including FocusDriven President Jennifer Smith, and representatives from Safeway and the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS), Secretary LaHood unveiled a number of new public education initiatives and discussed the important leadership role businesses play in promoting safe driving behavior.

"Distracted driving is a deadly epidemic and when it comes to road safety, we will not take a backseat to anyone," said Secretary LaHood. "That's why distracted driving will continue to be a major part of DOT's robust safety agenda. Together with advocates like FocusDriven and NETS, and employers like Safeway, we can put an end to this deadly behavior and save lives."

To show the devastating, real-life effect of distracted driving, the Department unveiled the latest in its "Faces of Distracted Driving" video series, which explores the tragic consequences of texting and cell phone use while driving. The video features people from across the country who have been injured or lost loved ones in distracted driving crashes. This week's video features 17-year-old Emily Reynolds. Emily's older sister Cady was killed in 2007 when a teen driver texting on her cell phone struck Cady's car in Omaha, NE. To watch, or find out how to submit a video, visit: www.distraction.gov/faces.

Also at the event, FocusDriven President Jennifer Smith launched a new anti-distracted driving PSA. Titled the "5500 campaign," the 30-second public service announcement includes pictures of hundreds of distracted driving victims, putting faces to the fatalities that occur on American roadways.

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