Make Your Car a "No Phone Zone"

Think You Can Safely Text and Drive?

We all like to believe we are exceptions to statistics. In fact, many drivers who survive car crashes caused by phone-related distractions share thoughts such as:

• "I'm usually good at multi-tasking"
• "There was plenty of space ahead of me"
• "I do it all the time and I am very careful"
• "I truly never thought this would happen to me"

Do any of these thoughts sound familiar?
 

Important statistics every driver must consider...

• Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
• Using a cell phone use while driving, whether it’s hand-held or hands-free, delays a driver's reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent. Source: University of Utah
• In 2008, slightly more than 20 percent of all crashes involved some type of distraction. Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• Nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted driver, and more than half a million were injured. Source: NHTSA
• The younger, inexperienced drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes. Source: NHTSA

Compiled by www.distraction.gov

Know the Facts

Illinois Law

Illinois Cell Phone Law Excerpt

"A person may not operate a motor vehicle on a roadway while using an electronic communication device to compose, send, or read an electronic message. There are exceptions and a Hands-Free Device may be used."

"Prohibits the use a wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle on a roadway in a school speed zone or on a highway in a construction or maintenance speed zone."

Read more about key highway safety laws in Illinois

Source:  Governors Highway Safety Association 

Iowa Law

Iowa Cell Phone Law Excerpt

Iowa's new law, made effective July 1, "bans all drivers from reading, writing or sending text messages or email while operating a motor vehicle."

"In addition novice drivers, mostly between the ages of 14-17 will be prohibited from using a  cell phone while operating a motor vehicle."

"A person ticketed under the new law will face a fine of $100, although there would be a grace period on the fine from July 1st, 2010 - June 30th, 2011"

Read more about key highway safety laws in Iowa

Source:  Governors Highway Safety Association

 

 

Education and Action

Resources and tools to help educate yourself, your teen drivers and your fellow employees.

• Take the No Phone Zone Pledge
• Learn More Distracted Driving Statistics
• Create Your Own Distracted Driving PSA Online!
• Take a Teen Texting Quiz
• Has Your Company Taken the Pledge?
• Frequently Asked Questions About Distracted Driving

Source: www.Oprah.com, www.distraction.gov

Play the Concentration Game.

How well can you stay focused amid potential driving distractions? It's not easy! The Century Council created this game for teens (and adults) in honor of the 2008 National Teen Driver Safety Week, which takes place every third week in October.