Take the Pledge: Safe Driving

Cellphone Safety While Driving

Take the pledge with the National Safety Council.

Distracted driving is a rapidly growing problem and cellphone use is its number one cause. This month, Lawley is encouraging everyone to take the distracted driving pledge with the National Safety Council and put down their cellphones to protect themselves and others on the road.

Research reported by the National Safety Council indicates:

• An estimated 28 percent of car crashes (1.6 million per year) involve cellphone use at the time of the crash
• Drivers who use cellphones are four times as likely to be involved in a car crash
• Talking on the phone or texting while driving is as dangerous (or more so) than driving drunk
• Talking on a hands-free device, though it eliminates the physical distraction, causes the brain just as much distraction as using a handheld phone

Pledge to take the following steps:

• I will not talk on a handheld phone or text while driving
• I will pull over or let voicemail pick up the call if my phone rings while I’m driving
• If I must talk on the phone, I will use a hands-free device (though the safest choice is no cellphone at all)
• I will encourage my family and friends to take this pledge as well

Take the pledge with the National Safety Council here.