Today, The Oprah Winfrey Show declared a national "No Phone Zone" day and marked this event with a live broadcast from Chicago and viewing rallies around the nation in Los Angeles, Detroit, Atlanta, Boston, and Washington, DC.
I've seen a lot in my past 15 months as Secretary of Transportation, and we've gained incredible momentum on the issue of distracted driving. But having the support of Oprah's television show and the Gayle King radio show has taken this campaign to a whole new level.
They took the pledge! At the Newseum with Girl Scouts from the GSCNC
You can see more photos from No Phone Zone day at my Flickr site
And that's exactly what I told Oprah and Gayle--distracted driving is a bad habit with serious consequences. We're in the habit of texting or talking on the
phone while we drive, and many people still don't know how dangerous this is.
But the numbers don't lie. People are getting killed by this every day.
DC's Police Chief Cathy Lanier told Gayle today that distracted driving is killing 15 people every day. And loved ones will have to live with those losses forever.
Look, habits are hard to break, and we've got a tough road ahead to try to get people to put distractions away when they get in the driver's seat. But we know that if we can get people to keep their hands on the wheel, and their eyes and minds on the road, we can save lives.
Oprah introduced a way to TXT the NPZ PLDG, but NOT while driving
Listen to Allentown, PA's Jacy Good, Grapevine, TX's Jennifer Smith, Ft. Wayne, IN's Diveeta Thompson, Ft. Collins, CO's Shelly Forney, Bollingbrook, IL's Cheryl Miller, and Concord, MA's Jerry Sibley.
Every one of those people--all of whom have shared their story with Oprah--has suffered a devastating loss by a distracted driver. A mother, a father, a son, a daughter.
Gayle King hosts today's event
surrounded by Newseum crowd
But, thanks to the platform that Oprah has so generously made available, we have the courage of these surviving family members to motivate us to do better
And thanks to the spotlight that she has shined on this deadly epidemic, we are going to make our roads safer.
If the crowds I saw today and the nearly quarter of a million who signed Oprah's pledge stick to their word and make their cars a "No phone zone," I know we will win this fight.
Students from the Covenant
Christian School in Yazoo City, MS, show their support for the pledge
I want to thank Oprah and Gayle for their support and encourage everyone to visit www.distraction.gov to stay involved in our efforts to end distracted driving.
In support of the important movement today, please go to http://www.groupon.com/deals/get-off-the-phone
to be a proud voice! Have a "get off the phone sign" in your car (a la baby on board sign)
Posted by: Kari Galassi | April 30, 2010 at 10:49 PM
I wish more of Oprah’s caliber will support all the efforts made to make people drive more carefully. Asking the celebrities to support and speak in public will make the difference that is needed. I do not know who managed to get this subject on the show- but a great “well done” to that person from me.
Posted by: rakeback | May 01, 2010 at 05:30 PM
As a driver of large limousine vehicles weighing thousands of pounds, I see people everyday distracted and changing lanes directly in front of me. My friends who drive large transport vehicles say it is an everyday occurrence. Most of the time they are not only talking on the phone, but talking to other people in their car. I highly support efforts to make drivers AWARE of what they are doing. Personal responsibility can and will save lives. Kudos to Oprah and Gayle King.
Posted by: Gino Safari | May 03, 2010 at 09:51 AM
I took the pledge, and I'm (almost) at 100% compliance. The habit is hard to break, but I'm far below the number of calls I used to make. For my graduate school research project, I plan to write a paper about distracted driving. Maybe I can generate some stats from all of you...
Posted by: Diana Martin | May 04, 2010 at 02:33 PM
My daughter April signed her No Phone Zone Plege and we are asking everyone to sign a No Phone Zone Plege today.
Posted by: Smommyr | May 06, 2010 at 10:10 AM
This sure will give people time to live a day free from technical gadgets.
Posted by: baby sling | May 08, 2010 at 12:05 AM
Too many people in our society today drive recklessly while prioritizing their phone conversations over the public's safety. I look forward to more legislation regulating texting while driving.
Posted by: Nunchaku | August 02, 2010 at 12:18 AM
This sure will give people time to live a day free from technical gadgets.
Posted by: МДФ фасады | September 14, 2010 at 04:20 AM
Would like to see more celebs like Oprah back this. Texting and driving should be illegal in every state... it's really a no-brainer.
Posted by: Jonny C. | October 05, 2010 at 04:37 AM
I think a fine by police will add a lot of effectiveness to this campaign. It's one year passed now and day after day, people are killed by this bad habit. I hope not celebs but the officers need to take some actions too.
Leona @ http://www.learnhowtogetasixpack.com/
Posted by: get six pack | April 04, 2011 at 02:21 AM
Thanks Oprah for making this. Many lives have been saved thanks to this campaign
Posted by: Irina | April 04, 2011 at 02:23 AM
Thanks Oprah for contribution to the community!
A later report from WHO disclaim Cell Phones May Cause Brain Cancer, support to the No Phone Zone campaign!
Posted by: rakeback poker forum | June 10, 2011 at 12:38 AM
Oprah - thank you for bringing attention to this issue. A lot of lives are lost due to accidents caused while talking on cell phones while driving. Say no to cell phones while driving!
Posted by: Travis Killian | June 19, 2011 at 01:57 PM
Unfortunately, people who talk on the phone while driving don't realize that one second it's enough to kill a person. Latter regrets won't help. Thanks Oprah.
david @ www.sixpackabs24.com
Posted by: david c | January 12, 2012 at 10:40 AM