Recently, the Transportation secretary has launched a new initiative called FocusDriven. Think of it as a Mothers Against Drunk Driving only for distracted driving. it was mentioned on the CBS early show a couple of days ago. here is the link to the article http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/13/technology/13distracted.html?ref=automobiles
The Transportation Department and safety advocates have announced the creation of a campaign intended to teach people about the dangers of driving while talking on cellphones or texting on hand-held computers.
The Transportation secretary, Ray LaHood, appearing Tuesday on “The Early Show” on CBS, described the campaign, called FocusDriven, as “an army of people that will be traveling the country persuading people to put their cellphones away while they’re driving.”
“I’m on a rampage about distracted driving. I’m not going to give up on it,” Mr. LaHood told reporters in Detroit on Monday. “I’m going to do everything I can to try to make sure people drive safely — without cellphones, without Bluetooth, without BlackBerrys.”
The organization is being established with the support of the Transportation Department and the independent, nonprofit National Safety Council. It will be led by Jennifer Smith, whose mother was killed in 2008 by a driver who was talking on his cellphone.
FocusDriven is modeled on Mothers Against Drunk Driving, which taught motorists about the dangers of drinking and driving.
“Just as groups like MADD changed attitudes about drunk driving, I believe FocusDriven can help raise awareness and change the way people think about distracted driving,” Mr. LaHood said in a news release. “Together, I hope we can put an end to this dangerous practice.”
The department recently started a federal Web site , with information on distracted driving, and has distributed a public service announcement, featuring Mr. LaHood.