DOT 70-11
Monday, June 13, 2011
Contact: Justine Adelizzi
Tel: (202) 366-4570

U.S. Department of Transportation Releases New "Faces of Distracted Driving" Video for Father's Day John Sligting of Round Lake Beach, Illinois Remembered by His Daughter Charlene as Father's Day Approaches

WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today released the latest installment in the U.S. Department of Transportation's "Faces of Distracted Driving" series, featuring a daughter who lost her father in a distracted driving crash. In the new video, Charlene Sligting from Elgin, Illinois, remembers her father, John Sligting, on the fourth anniversary of his death and urges drivers to focus on safety this Father's Day weekend.

WATCH: "John Sligting, 56" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0NmyJfxwb8

On June 13, 2007, 56-year-old John Sligting was killed when a teen driver talking on her cell phone rolled through a stop sign and into the path of his motorcycle. Charlene Sligting is now a victim advocate who speaks out against distracted driving for the National Safety Council.

"John Sligting was a beloved father and grandfather whose life was cut short because of distracted driving," said Secretary LaHood. "I applaud Charlene for all of the work she is doing to raise awareness about this deadly epidemic, and I hope that everyone who hears about the loss of her father will remember to keep their eyes on the road, their hands on the wheel, and their focus on driving this Father's Day weekend."

"Distracted driving cost me my father, the most amazing person I will ever know," said Charlene Sligting. "We all make choices when we get behind the wheel, and those choices have consequences. Please keep those you care about safe: Don't use your cell phone will driving."

"Faces of Distracted Driving" is a video series exploring the tragic consequences of texting and cell phone use while driving. It features people from across the country who have been injured or lost loved ones in distracted driving crashes. In 2009, nearly 5,500 people died and half a million were injured in accidents involving a distracted driver.

The series is part of Secretary LaHood's effort to raise greater awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.

WATCH: "Faces of Distracted Driving" - www.distraction.gov/faces

The U.S. Department of Transportation is encouraging anyone who would like to share their distracted driving experiences to post videos on YouTube and email the links to: faces@distraction.gov.

To learn more about USDOT's efforts to stop distracted driving, please visit http://www.distraction.gov.