What is No Phone Zone?
No Phone Zone is a nationwide effort to honor victims of distracted driving, and to educate and activate the American public to end the deadly driving habits that killed nearly 6,000 in 2008.
To combat our country’s distracted driving epidemic, Oprah Winfrey and Harpo Studios are taking a stand against distracted driving, launching a new public service announcement campaign and joining forces with some of the country’s preeminent transportation safety organizations in a nationwide effort to turn all cars into a No Phone Zone.
What is the No Phone Zone pledge?
By signing Oprah’s No Phone Zone pledge, drivers agree to make their car a No Phone Zone and refrain from using their phone while driving, eliminating distractions from incoming calls, texts or e-mails. More than 175,000 people to date have signed the No Phone Zone pledge at Oprah.com.
What does the No Phone Zone pledge entail? By signing the No Phone Zone pledge, drivers agree to make their car a No Phone Zone and refrain from using their phone while driving, eliminating distractions from incoming calls, texts or e-mails. To date, more than 175,000 people to date have signed Oprah’s No Phone Zone pledge at Oprah.com/NoPhoneZone
The Facts
Nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted driver, and
more than half a million were injured. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety
Association (NHTSA)
The proportion of drivers reportedly distracted at the time of a fatal crash has
increased from 8 percent in 2004 to 11 percent in 2008. (Source: NHTSA)
More than 800,000 vehicles are being driven by someone using a hand-held cel
phone at any given moment during daylight hours. (Source: NHTSA)
Research shows 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)
What is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is any non-driving activity a
person engages in that has the potential to distract
him or her from the primary task of driving.
There are three main types of distracted driving.
Visual — taking your eyes off the road Manual — taking your hands off the wheel Cognitive — taking your mind off the task of
driving
Texting while driving involves all three types
of distraction.
(Source: NHTSA)
New Texting Law Effective October 1, 2009:
Prohibits a person from using a text messaging device to write or send a text message while operating a motor vehicle in motion or in the travel portion of the roadway; specifying exceptions for use of a global positioning system, or text messaging to contact a 9-1-1 system; etc. The Maryland law makes the activity a misdemeanor crime. A civil penalty will be imposed and a fine of not more than $500.00 can be enforced if convicted.
The demands of work, the need to spend quality time with family and extracurricular activities keep our lives very, very busy. Multi-tasking has become a way of life. However, when it comes to driving and drowsy driving, focusing is our only option. Driver distraction is not a new problem. With today’s technological advances, vehicles manufactured for drivers serve a dual purpose – transportation and entertainment. They are equipped with tv/dvd players, wireless telephones, internet services, navigation devices, and other sophisticated devices. Even a brief lapse in concentration behind the wheel can result in devastating consequences. Victims of distracted driving crashes don’t fall into any one group—they are family, friends, co-workers, and even children.
Is distracted driving a serious issue?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involve some form of driver inattention within three seconds before the event.
Distractions come in three forms: physical, cognitive and mental. Anything that distracts a driver from the primary task of operating a motor vehicle is unsafe. Some of the most unsafe behaviors while driving are talking on a cell phone, texting-while-driving, holding lengthy/emotional conversations with other passengers, attending to children, reading newspapers or maps, using technologies or smart cars, adjusting vehicle controls, personal grooming and eating.
Tips to avoiding distracted and drowsy driving:
An obvious cause of fatigue is lack of sleep. Get enough rest. Sleep deprivation can lead to severe lapses in your ability to pay attention while driving and equals the effects of drunk driving.
Pay Attention. Even a brief lapse in concentration can have dire consequences. Keep your eyes focused on the road and concentrate on driving. Driver instructors estimate that a driver makes 200 decisions for every mile of driving -- for experienced drivers these are often automatic.
Hands-free doesn’t equal risk free. Use cell phones wisely. At 60 miles per hour, if you take your mind off the road to answer an incoming call or dial a number on your phone, your vehicle will travel 88 feet per second! Please stop somewhere safe and use your cell phone in a responsible manner.
Driving a car requires focus. Your commute is not the time to do chores, apply makeup, shave, or read the newspaper. These activities take your eyes off of the road and put you and other drivers in danger.
Maryland Fast Facts
Distracted driving involves a diversion of attention from driving because the driver is focused on an event, task or item that is not related to driving that takes their focus off the task at hand
How does distracted driving affect you?
In 2008, a total of 34 persons lost their lives and 11,578 persons were injured in 24,769 distracted driver-involved crashes.
In 2008, 75% of drivers killed in distracted driving crashes were males.
Drivers between the ages of 45-49 accounted for the largest percentage of fatalities in distracted driving crashes.
In 2008, 38% of all fatal inattentive driving crashes happened on state highways.
National Statistics
In April 2006, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute released a research study that revealed 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involved some form of driver inattention within the three seconds before a crash. Inattention was a contributing factor for 93 percent of rear-end-striking crashes. The study also indicated that the use of hand-held and or hands-free cell phone use was not the only distraction for drivers.
The societal cost of car crashes nationwide is a staggering $164.2 billion annually, nearly two and a half times greater than the $67.6 billion price tag for congestion, according to a recent report released by AAA.
Maryland Laws
Drivers under the age of 18 holding a learner or intermediate permit may not use a wireless communication device, except to contact a 911 system. A police officer may enforce this section only as a secondary action when the police officer detains a driver for a suspected violation of another provision of the code.
A person is prohibited from using a text messaging device to write or send a text message while operating a motor vehicle in motion or in the travel portion of the roadway; specifying exceptions for use of a global positioning system, or text messaging to contact a 9-1-1 system. The Maryland law makes the activity a misdemeanor crime. A civil penalty will be imposed and a fine of not more than $500.00 can be enforced if convicted.
Inattentive driving is negligent driving and could lead to a citation that carries a penalty of a $140 fine and a point against your driver’s license. If the negligent driving contributes to a crash, the fine increases to $280 with a three-point penalty.
Maryland Campaigns
The Maryland Inattentive Driving Program is coordinated by the Maryland Highway Safety Office. The JUST DRIVE educational program was launched as an effort to distribute public information and educational materials to heighten the awareness of distracted driving.
Tips for Drivers
Stay focused and alert at all times.
Avoid using cell phones while driving - allow calls to go to voicemail.
Practice short glances and avoid prolonged staring.
Never read, write, or take down numbers while driving.
Conduct personal grooming before leaving or after reaching your destination.
Make sure children are properly restrained before you start driving.
Avoid eating, drinking and changing controls while driving.
Never look for lost or fallen items while driving.
Do not allow technologies to divert your attention or concentration.
Tips for Passengers
Be alert.
Dial or answer the cell phone for the driver.
Limit conversations with the driver if possible.
Obtain plenty of rest in the event you are asked to drive periodically.
Review directions before traveling.
What can Marylanders do to combat this problem?
Pay Attention. The primary responsibility of the driver is to operate a motor vehicle safely. The single biggest improvement that you can make is to be aware.
Develop the right attitude about driving. Your commute is not the time to multitask. Driving requires full attention and focus.
The safest course of action is to refrain from using a cell phone while driving. Stop somewhere safe and use your cell phone in a responsible manner.
Keep both hands on the wheel and always buckle your seat belt.
