Picture this: You are running late to school so you grab your make-up to apply and breakfast to enjoy on your seven mile drive to school. You then realize you forgot a segment of your homework so you turn the radio down and grab your phone out of your center counsel to call your mom. And then it hits you—the oncoming car…you were driving distracted. While taking your eyes off the road to apply make-up, eat your breakfast, turn down the radio, and call your mom, you drifted into the opposite lane resulting in a life threatening car crash.
Did you know nearly 500,000 adults are injured due to distracted driving every year? Or that 65% of drivers use their cell phone while driving. Consider the fact that 49% of drivers under 35years of age send or read cell phone messages while driving. Wrap your head around that! Everyday nine of those individuals will die on our roadways due to distractive driving.
After attending the National Organization of Youth Safety (NOYS) Distractive Driving Summit in Washington, D.C. Sammy, Vice President of Public Relations, and I had a different outlook on life, the reality of distractive driving, and how we as Minnesota FCCLA State Officers can help remedy this global concern with your help.
Mark your calendars for April 11th, 2014 at 10:00-11:00am to attend our NOYS/Act Out Loud Distracted Driving Rally. This will involve a panel of distractive driving speakers, pledge signing, an interactive driving simulator and much more!
I believe we could start a chain reaction to end distractive driving in our state today. See you on April 11th!
Written by Marissa Kuneth- State Officer
