Back from Oprah: Texting and Driving Has Met Its Match

At the invitation of the Oprah Winfrey Show, yesterday we flew to Chicago for the taping of Oprah's show on texting and driving.  

It was an honor to be at the taping with the many families who are making a huge difference on this issue, families who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and lost a loved one to a distracted driver.

Cheryl Miller, whose story we blogged here told Oprah to a weeping audience about losing her 5 year old son Adam and the Illinois justice system that let the driver who killed Adam go without even a slap on the wrist.   

Shelli Ralls spoke beautifully to Oprah about her son Chance Wilcox, also the victim of a distracted driver, and the court case against the woman who killed him.  

Also there was Reggie Shaw from Utah, who caused the tragic accident that led Utah to create the country's strictest distracted driving laws, along with family members of the men killed in the accident, the prosecutors and other Utah officials. Be sure to watch this video about the case.

Jennifer Smith, who we interviewed at the Distracted Driving Summit spoke lovingly about her mom and showed a devastating photo of the crash that killed her. 

The family of Matt Wilhelm, who was killed as he rode his bike, brought us to tears as they spoke about their son and the law they fought so hard to pass in his name. We blogged about Matt here.

Oprah asked the guests who had lost family members because of distracted drivers to say the names of their loved ones who had died.  Each person stood up, said the name of the person they’d lost and told their story.  It was one of the most powerful moments you can imagine as Oprah said to each of the families that their loved one was remembered and did not die in vain. 

The show was intense and emotional - and deeply effective. 

Prior to the show all audience members were asked to take a pledge not to text and drive and once we pledged we were given a t-shirt that read: I took the pledge. Will YOU? Don't Tempt F8, That Txt Can W8. Imagine an audience filled with people wearing that message! 

When the show airs on January 15, 2010 (check the website in case the date changes), Oprah is going to create a widespread behavioral culture change on this issue, and people are going to wake up to how stupid (her word) we’re all being to think we can look down at our phones while we’re driving and still be safe on the road.  

     

Talk about sending the msg. 

The experience yesterday was also a powerful reminder that we, as parents, are critical to stopping this epidemic. We model safe driving behavior to our kids and as the gatekeepers of the cell phones and car keys for our teen drivers, we set firm house rules on distracted driving too.  If you haven't already, be sure to sign the Pledge to Send the Msg: Keep Your Mind on the Wheel.

Here we are outside the show, just because we had to share! (Hopefully we'll have a photo of us with Oprah to share with you soon!)

Comments

[discount coach]

That's great fantastic! I think your blog will brought the house down, I reading your article with much more pleasure. Thanks a lot indeed.

[Evein Moutan]

There was the tragic accident that led to create the country’s strictest distracted driving laws the family of all who was killed as he road his bike brought us and that let the driver who killed without even a slap on the wrist.
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Texas Defensive Driving

[David Bailey]

In our effort to help get the word out for this campaign we included elements of the PSA in an extraordinary tribute to Oprah. We were inspired to create this video piece upon hearing the news of her decision to conclude her show. The piece is an original composition, which features highlights of the phenomenal success that she has shared with the world over the past twenty-five years. I encourage everyone to please check the video out and share it with others who want to reflect on the countless things that Oprah has brought to our society and culture. The title of the composition is Oprah: “Let Love Lead The Way…” and it can be found at the address below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9ATXxyOGGI

Oprah Thanks for so much over the years!

[Silver Fang]

People who use their phones while driving are idiots. My friend and I were almost side swiped by some dame texting while driving alongside us.

Hands on the wheel! Eyes on the road!

[Regina Ragsdale]

My Granddaughter is in 4-H and does pageants where she has to promote a platform. She is preparing a speach for her 4-H public speaking event and is trying to get some information about how she can promote the "Texting and Driving" campaign. We would like to have a copy of the contract which we could copy and hopefully get all of her teenage friends to sign as well as a t-shirt that she could wear to promote her walk as she encourages her teenage contacts to do the same. This has become a passion of ours as we drive and see more and more people driving at 70 mph or more with their phones held up in front of them texting while trying to drive at that speed and sometimes faster.

Please help us to promote this in our area. Her 4-H public speaking contest is April 27th. Thank you.

[Amanda W]

We also need to get bumper stickers made. And, we need to get this message across to all the high schools across the country. I think that making bumper stickers and t-shirts and using those funds to campaign across the country would be a gr8 idea. I for one plan to do this im my community.

[Lisa Radcliff]

I am a driving school instructor, teens just really dont think this is a problem. I am showing the oprah texting show to my students this evening. Hopefully it will get through to them. It is very diffucult to get them to understand.

[james lullo]

Love the t-shirt ... where can i get one! Someone start selling them quick! Maybe I can text someone who is selling them...LOL

[SenoraE]

I'm also a teacher - and I want a shirt to wear at school too!!! Any details? Thanks so much!

[Kristina]

I also want the shirt to wear as a reminder to my students. Aby info on it?

[Gale Ennis Preston, CT]

Just watched the Oprah show on texting. I've posted the importance of NOT texting and talking while driving to my Facebook page. I hope many others will follow suit and place the same message on theirs.

[Heather Niles]

I took the pledge. Where do I get a Tshirt?

[rhonda barbeau]

I took the pledge. I am a high school teacher and would love to wear the t-shirt to work to get the point across. Where do I get one?

[Evans Hunt]

Three cheers to Oprah for selecting this issue. Habit of texting while driving is not mandatory. But as discussed here banning is not feasible solution. We should try for alternative solution called http://www.drivesafe.ly/..
It reads message and sender of message both loud...really it works. In addition my kids also loved it. By this application I got a breath of relief. Now I worry less when my kids are go for drive.
Thanks.

[Savannah Tompkins]

I take the pledge!! Absolutely no texting or talking while driving! Driving is a privilege and we owe it to those we share the roads with to drive with our full attention...no distractions!! No phone call or text is worth a life. I pray that one day it will be illegal nationwide to talk and text while driving. In memory of my precious little cousin Erica Forney.

[Maricris]

I can't wait to see the show. I hope it creates a huge impact and awareness to those who will see it. We need more UNdistracted drivers on the road! Thank you Emily & Cooper for raising this awareness. You're both Fabulous!

[LiveLaughLoveCj]

Sounds like a moving show that I will be sure to tune in to.
So glad to see this hitting the airwaves all around us, THE message... Mom Sends The Message...
Let's make a difference y'all. Let's keep making a difference.

[Jess McD]

Fantastic news, I'm so excited that this is getting this level of attention!