Mom Sends the Msg

Keep Your Mind on the Wheel SIGN THE PLEDGE!

Our Pledge

Driving while distracted can be more dangerous than driving drunk.

As moms, we want safer roads.

We know the time has come for us all to recognize the risks of distracted driving, to be more responsible and to mind the wheel.

Oprah's Op-Ed in the New York Times

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 your cellphone while driving. 

Here's what happened at Harpo Studios. 

The show itself was an intense and emotional hour and a half – no surprise given the topic - and afterward, Oprah took off her high-heels and curled up in her chair to talk with us, her audience. She was relaxed, found ways to lighten the moment, talked about how much the issue of distracted driving mattered to her (“texting and driving is just dumb” …”everyone thinks they can handle it”), asked to hear some of the personal stories from the audience and took questions.

The 'after show' was coming to a close when I decided to ask Oprah a question that had been on my mind: "Would you consider, if Harpo doesn’t have one already, putting a distracted driving policy in place before this show airs?”

And without missing a beat, Oprah answered, “Tomorrow.”

At this point, Oprah was leaning forward, focused, with both stockinged feet on the ground. We talked awhile about it - actually, I stood and she talked to me and all of us about how much it mattered to her that her employees not use their cellphones when behind the wheel. Audience members then raised their hands to tell their own stories about on-the-job, distracted driving scary stories and near misses, and Oprah was right there.

So today, when Oprah said in her op-ed, "... I instituted a policy at my company that forbids employees from using their phones for company business while driving," that moment in Harpo studios came rushing back. 

And here we are five months later, and Oprah is taking this on in such a big way and, as a result, many companies will put strict "No Phone Zone" policies in place, and we'll likely see more people pull over to the side of the road before talking on their cellphones and others who will even stop texting while driving (imagine that!).  All so cool.

(This blog post originally appeared on Been There.)

A Sign for Adam

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 and even to the Oprah Winfrey Show, Cheryl succeeded in building a network of Illinoisans to press their State Senators to keep Senate Bill 3803 moving through the Senate and--finally--to vote for it.

And, yes, last week the Illinois Senate passed SB 3803 unanimously.

Now, however, her fight must continue, and she will have to rally those same supporters to reach out to their State Representatives. Without a rest, Cheryl will get back to work urging people to asking theirlegislators to back Illinois House Sponsor Sid Mathias and keep that bill moving forward.

As Cheryl says, "I want to thank Jim Dodge of State Senator John Cullerton's office for his help, but now it's time to get back to work to keep this moving on the other side."

Click here to read on. And let's send all our thoughts, energy and noise to Illinois to get that sign for Adam. 

Gadgets in Emergency Vehicles Seen as Driving Peril

 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.

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

In ‘No Excuse’ Campaign, Bad Drivers Offer Excuses

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. 

Oprah's No Phone Zone

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. 

Distracted driving in record snow? Say it isn't so!

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

Tips to break the texting and driving habit

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

New rule for truck, bus drivers: No texting

 

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 Transportation said in a news release. Read on here. 

More Grassroots Success in New Jersey!

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.