Way back in November, Cooper and I went to Chicago for the taping of Oprah's show on distracted driving (it aired in January). Oprah's senior producer had invited us because we'd been in touch about TheMotherhood’s campaign to reduce distracted driving, Mom Sends The Msg, and recommended people she might interview and include in the segment. The reason I'm bringing this up now is during the 'after show' I asked Oprah a question that, as it turns out, ties into the great op-ed Oprah wrote for the New York Times, called Dnt Txt N Drv, about the dangers of using... Continue reading

Cheryl Miller is a hero who never wanted to be a hero. She just wanted to be a mom. Thank you Secretary Ray LaHood for telling her story. From Secretary LaHood's post: How difficult is it to get a road-sign posted to memorialize the victim of a distracted driver? Well, it turns out that, unless the driver was drunk, it's impossible. Unless you want to fight a heroic battle to change Illinois' Roadside Memorial Act. And that is exactly what Cheryl Miller has been doing for over a year. By telling her story everywhere she could, from Facebook to blogs... Continue reading

From the New York Times another piece in their Driven to Distraction series. This article takes on the distractions in emergency vehicles. Scary stuff: Despite efforts to get drivers to stop texting and talking on the phone, police and paramedics use an array of dashboard devices, a boon for their jobs that also presents a clear risk. Continue reading

Have a teenage girl? Talk to her about driving! Study says teen girls are distracted, aggressive drivers: http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20100304/LOCAL/303049971/1002/LOCAL Continue reading

England is most certainly leading the way in cracking down on distracted, dangerous driving. This program, "No Excuses," which takes aim at all kinds of driving behaviors (like playing with the radio while driving) is interesting. Read on here. Continue reading

Please take a moment to check out Oprah's No Phone Zone. The resourses, videos and information linked there are powerful and effective for Sending the Msg. Continue reading

Texting and driving in this record snow? Yep, it's true. This op-ed raises some great points: http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100215/OPINION11/2150324 Continue reading

From KYPost.com- Solutions to help you stop texting and driving. Some great tips here: http://www.kypost.com/content/wcposhared/story/Text-While-You-Drive-Solutions-To-Help-You-Stop/IczgLQiZVEOn71u0eETWdA.cspx Continue reading

From CNN -- Drivers of commercial trucks and buses will be prohibited from texting under federal guidelines that U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood is issuing Tuesday."We want the drivers of big rigs and buses and those who share the roads with them to be safe," LaHood said in a statement. "This is an important safety step, and we will be taking more to eliminate the threat of distracted driving." The prohibition is effective immediately. Truck and bus drivers who text while driving commercial vehicles may be subject to civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750, the Department of... Continue reading

Joanne from Little Miss Julia has done it again! This one woman army against distracted driving in New Jersey has covered the most amazing amount of ground in the last three months. She's rallied PTAs, police departments, parents organizations and now the New Jersey Media behind the fight to end distracted driving! Click here to read the AWESOME article Joanne wrote for the Daily Record: Download Dailyrecord Thank you Joanne. You are saving lives in your community and state every single day with your dedication, drive and heart. Continue reading

A friend forwarded me this great email by Leora who sent it to a big group of friends (who we hope are also forwarding it to their friends): I just watched the most important Oprah episode I've ever seen. It discussed the dangers of cell phones, driving and distractions. If this doesn't pertain to you (meaning you don't drive or you don't use your phone ever in the car), then please disregard. Please take a minute to review this webpage below and educate yourselves about the seriousness of the issue. It may save a life. Maybe your own. I have... Continue reading

Set your DVRs - Oprah's show on distracted driving airs today! She calls it "America's New Deadly Obsession" - which it is. Please spread the word - the more people who see it the better! (Look for Cooper and me in the audience.) And please be sure to sign Oprah's No Phone Zone pledge! Continue reading

Berdine Japsi has written a feature article on Mom Sends The Msg, detailing the history of the campaign and its importance. Way to help spread the word!!!! Thank you, Berdine. Here's the start to the article (click the link below to read the whole piece): In a telephone interview with Emily McKhann, we discussed the campaign that she and Cooper Munroe, both from TheMotherhood.com, have started. It is called Mom Sends The Msg. The purpose of this campaign is to keep the drivers mind on the wheel and not to become distracted by texting while driving. The campaign started when... Continue reading

The New York Times continues its "Driven to Distraction" series with an article today on the dangers of walking and talking on your cellphone. Here's the article - By MATT RICHTEL SAN FRANCISCO — On the day of the collision last month, visibility was good. The sidewalk was not under repair. As she walked, Tiffany Briggs, 25, was talking to her grandmother on her cellphone, lost in conversation. Very lost. “I ran into a truck,” Ms. Briggs said. It was parked in a driveway. Distracted driving has gained much attention lately because of the inflated crash risk posed by drivers... Continue reading

The launch this week of Focus Driven, an advocacy group led by survivors of distracted driving tragedies, means distracted driving has met its match. Led by the amazing Jennifer Smith, whom we met and interviewed at the Distracted Driving Summit last year, Focus Driven has a clear mission: FocusDriven provides victims of cell phone distracted drivers, and their friends and families, with an outlet for sharing their stories. We also provide those interested in this issue with opportunities to get involved. FocusDriven can help you petition your state legislation; educate your friends, families and coworkers about the hazards of distracted... Continue reading

We had such a great time talking with the wonderful Marcia Hansen, host of Allstate's Vehicle Vibes radio show! Take a listen! Here's the description: On this episode of Vehicle Vibes Radio, Marcia will be talking to Cooper and Emily about their efforts to engage mothers and stop distracted driving habits. As parents, mothers play a critical role in keeping their children safe while driving but also in setting an example for their teen or soon-to-be teen drivers. Tune in and listen to this exciting interview and learn about how you can avoid distracted driving and get involved in the... Continue reading

We just heard from the producers of The Oprah Winfrey Show that her segment on distracted driving has been moved to Monday, January 18th. By way of background, we supported the producers as they put the segment together and were inviting to the taping in Chicago. The show is incredible and, as with any issue Oprah takes up, she is going to haven enormous impact on awareness, behavior and public policy. Set your DVR, clear your calendar, and get ready for a great and powerful show! Continue reading

The New York Times continues its "Driven to Distraction" series with another front page story. Here's the start: By ASHLEE VANCE and MATT RICHTEL LAS VEGAS — To the dismay of safety advocates already worried about driver distraction, automakers and high-tech companies have found a new place to put sophisticated Internet-connected computers: the front seat. Technology giants like Intel and Google are turning their attention from the desktop to the dashboard, hoping to bring the power of the PC to the car. They see vast opportunity for profit in working with automakers to create the next generation of irresistible devices.... Continue reading

Be sure to check out the new website Distraction.gov. http://www.distraction.gov/ It is full of great resources and info in the fight against distracted driving. Stay safe tonight! Continue reading

The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10cRay LaHoodwww.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full EpisodesPolitical HumorHealth Care Crisis Continue reading

OK, everyone - we have a job to do! In Pennsylvania, a banning texting and talking on hand-held phones while driving bill has passed the Transportation Committee and it now sits in Appropriations awaiting a full House vote. What on earth are Pennsylvania's lawmakers waiting for? As each hour ticks by, texting drivers continue to travel the roads of Pennsylvania essentially with blindfolds on. This must stop. Why? Just ask Jacy Good, a 21 year-old from Lititz, PA who lost BOTH her parents to a distracted driver. It's an awful story but could happen to any of us -- Jacy... Continue reading

From the front page of The New York Times, a big article on distracted driving and how the cell phone industry has promoted it. By MATT RICHTEL Published: December 6, 2009 Martin Cooper, who developed the first portable cellphone, recalled testifying before a Michigan state commission about the risks of talking on a phone while driving. Common sense, said Mr. Cooper, a Motorola engineer, dictated that drivers keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Commission members asked Mr. Cooper what could be done about risks posed by these early mobile phones. “There should be a lock... Continue reading