Here is some info on Oprah's campaign to get people to stop texting while driving...
*As a kick-off to May's National Youth Traffic Safety Month, Oprah Winfrey is taking a stand on cell phone use by drivers. In cities around the country and on a live broadcast on April 30, Oprah is launching a public service campaign called "No Phone Zone Day" to honor victims of distracted drivers while also educating drivers on the risks and dangers of driving while texting and using cell phones.
The events on Friday include a call to action. Drivers are asked to sign a pledge stating that they will not drive and text. Oprah started this push a few months ago, and there are other efforts being made to make it illegal to text and drive.To date, more than 160,000 people have signed the pledge.
The sobering fact is that in the U.S., over 5,000 young people are killed in automobile crashes every year, making it the number one cause of death.
"A call or text isn't worth taking a life," said Winfrey. "We must not allow more mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, sisters and brothers to die before we take action against distracted driving. Let's put a stop to it now, by joining together on April 30 for national 'No Phone Zone Day', and by making our cars a 'No Phone Zone.'"
"I've made it my mission at the DOT to end distracted driving. We know that if we can get people to put away cell phones and other electronic devices when they are behind the wheel, we can save thousands of lives and prevent hundreds of thousands of injuries every year" said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. "That's why I'm proud to support and participate in Oprah's 'No Phone Zone Day.'"
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-B and Carrie
