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Emily Oprah wrote a great op-ed for the New York Times today, called "Dnt Txt N Drv."
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/25/opinion/25winfrey.html?src=me&ref=general
Here's the start:
WHEN I started out as a TV reporter in Nashville in 1973, a death from drunken driving was big news. One person killed by a drunken driver would lead our local broadcast. Then, as the number of drunken driving deaths across the country continued to rise, the stakes for coverage got even higher. One death wasn’t good enough anymore. Two deaths — that would warrant a report. Then a whole family had to die before the news would merit mention at the top of the broadcast. The country, all of us, had gotten used to the idea of drunken driving. I just kept thinking: How many people have to die before we “get it”?
Fortunately, we did get it, and since 1980, the number of annual traffic fatalities due to drunken driving has decreased to under 15,500 from more than 30,000. But in recent years, another kind of tragic story has begun to emerge with ever greater frequency. This time, we are mourning the deaths of those killed by people talking or sending text messages on their cellphones while they drive.
Earlier this month, I visited Shelley and Daren Forney, a couple in Fort Collins, Colo., whose 9-year-old daughter, Erica, was on her bicycle, just 15 pedals from her front door, when she was struck and killed by a driver who was distracted by a cellphone. I think about Erica’s death and how senseless and stupid it was — caused by a driver distracted by a phone call that just couldn’t wait.
Sadly, there are far too many stories like hers. At least 6,000 people were killed by distracted drivers in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the number is rising. A lot of good work already is happening to try to change this. President Obama signed an executive order banning texting while driving on federal business. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is pushing for tougher laws and more enforcement. States are passing laws, too. Local groups are gaining strength, spurred by too many deaths close to home.
But we are hesitant to change. I saw this firsthand when I instituted a policy at my company that forbids employees from using their phones for company business while driving. (click the link above to read the rest.)
about 1 year ago - Comment
gottalovemom I wish people will just open their eyes and realize how texting and driving does not work. I know of people that can't seem to stop. It's sad but sometimes people have to wait for tragedy to happen before they actually learn...
about 1 year ago
Emily I'm with you, Jenjen! I wrote a blog post about this op-ed, and how when Cooper and I were at the taping of Oprah's show on distracted driving, I asked Oprah a question that relates back to this piece- her last sentence here in particular. Here's the link to the post - http://beenthere.typepad.com/been_there/2010/04/my-take-on-oprahs-oped-in-the-new-york-times-today.html?cid=6a00d83453a2a669e2013480264c28970c#comment-form
about 1 year ago
gottalovemom Emily, I'm glad Oprah proactively (as always) started the company policy of "no distracted driving". I'm hoping more people will be wise and caring enough to "just drive!". (Thanks for sharing the blog post and for keeping the cause fresh in everyone's minds)
about 1 year ago
juliepippert Watching the people learn how distracted they were by cell phones during that driving challenge should have been enlightening! But police even need to learn!
I got a call the other day and pulled off the road because it was important. I was on a neighborhood street. I pulled over, and a cop stopped to ask if all was okay, I said yes, I had just pulled over because I'd gotten a call and she said, "You need to move it! This is a warning." I am AMAZED that a police officer would give me a warning for safely pulling off the road to take a call and ignore all the people driving while distracted.
about 1 year ago
Amy Chaisiri this is a great article to share. I'll admit I used to do it. but now I stopped entirely.
about 1 year ago
Emily Amy, that's great - so glad to hear it! Julie, that's an incredible story about the police officer! Wow! We need to get the police depts on board!!!!
about 1 year ago
Deborah I can kind of see where the police officer might have been coming from. Hold on. I've have witnessed people pulled over on their cells. And as thrilled as I am to see this, some of these people have chose to pull over at a place NOT safe for doing so. Including blocking the entry to my subdivision and off of a 60MPH road where there is NO shoulder. So, I'm thinking that the message needs to include a SAFE and commonly understood pull-over. What do you think?
about 1 year ago
juliepippert I could see where that police officer was coming from if I had been parked in a bad spot, but it was a neighborhood side street and perfectly fine. That police department is trolling for funding -- me and many others have been pulled over for fishing expeditions (by which I mean they are hoping to find ANYTHING to ticket, and I've had nothing, no cause).
I can see your point though that there can often be a lack of common sense -- so sure, absolutely, with the caveat that it is in a safe and legal spot to pull over. :)
PS I'd just rather pay the police more money so they have all the funding they need versus them fundraise by ticketing.
about 1 year ago
Deborah Agreed.
about 1 year ago
Quiltndollmaker We have all seen the distracted driver on the phone or texting pull right out in front of us?
about 1 year ago