Distraction.gov Aims to Keep Drivers Focused

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The U.S. Department of Transportation on Monday unveiled its new website aimed at making drivers more aware of the dangers of distracted driving.

Distraction.gov collects facts and statistics about what constitutes a distraction while driving and how dangerous it can be.

The website will be paired with an advertising campaign to raise awareness of the problem, beginning with an ad from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration named “Calling Plan.” The advertisement shows drivers talking on cell phones and urges people to heed “the common sense not to talk or text while you drive.”

Nearly 6,000 people were killed last year in accidents involving distracted drivers, while more than half a million were injured, the NHTSA says. It also says that on any given day of 2009, up to 800,000 people were driving while talking or texting on a cell phone.

This modest move by the DOT follows President Barack Obama’s ban on using cell phones in vehicles for federal employees. In addition, on Jan. 1 three new states will join the list of those that ban texting behind the wheel: New Hampshire, Illinois and Oregon.

Obama Administration Unveils New Effort to Combat Distracted Driving (Detroit News)