PSA: No Phone Zone Day

Today is the first national No Phone Zone Day, meant to help put an end to distracted driving and all the dangers that go along with it. Folks are encouraged to sign the No Phone Zone pledge, which you can sign below (after the message from Oprah) or on the No Phone Zone page.

Why is a No Phone Zone important? Because:

• Every single time someone takes their eyes or their focus off the road - even for just a few seconds - they put their lives and the lives of others in danger.  Distracted driving is unsafe, irresponsible and in a split second, its consequences can be devastating. ~ U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood
• New research findings by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that show nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted or inattentive driver, and more than half a million were injured.  
• On any given day in 2008, more than 800,000 vehicles were driven by someone using a hand-held cell phone.
• Across the board, federal researchers who have directly observed drivers of all ages found that more and more people are using a variety of hand-held devices while driving – not just cell phones, but also iPods, video games, Blackberrys and GPS systems.
• In particular, cell phone use for talking and texting is now more prevalent on our nation's roads, rail systems and waterways, carrying a dangerous potential for accidents.

Here, ladies and gents, the creator and primary promoter of No Phone Zone Day ... Oprah!