Death by Cell Phone: If You Care, We Can Make a Difference

David Teater and Jennifer Smith discuss the loss of their loved ones from distracted driving motor vehicle crashes and the need for drivers to stop using wireless devices while driving. The video also addresses the work the National Safety Council is doing to keep drivers safe.

To make a contribution to the National Safety Council, please visit ifyoucare.nsc.org.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• distracted driving
• cell phone crash
• motor vehicle crash
• texting and driving

[LemonJuiced1992]

Wow~Can you say profound? My heart just breaks for these and many other families effected by cell phone distracted tragedies. So completely senseless. So many think they can handle the wheel and talk/text at the same time. I ALWAYS know when I am behind someone on the phone, their driving shows it. I am a Mother of 5, and the wife to one who is on the road a lot. It is tempting to take care of calls while on the road-but I don't! For this very reason! I have precious cargo~and others do too.

[p1ayd0ugh]

These two drivers are not the only ones at fault. So many of us have picked up the phone to make a call, stay in touch, send a message, etc. Have you thought to pull off the road. It happens in a split second. We are all at fault if we use a cell phone while moving.

Joey was my nephew and this devastated this family and a whole community. Hundreds attended the funeral. Lets make it mean something!!

Don't use a cell while driving and drive like everyone else is using one.

[trivuong]

My friend, who texting while driving all the time....i told him once day he will hurt some one by doing that, he just ignored me.

[Fira777]

Safety tip: Do NOT be deceived about hands-free "safety". Even using hands-free can be dangerous.

[sjphansen]

Thank you for sharing this video of your tragic stories. I too know exactly who is talking on the phone while driving by how they are driving. I still see texting also in our state. I am making a commitment right now to bug my friends and family til I am blue in the face to just not do it. To not do anything but pay attention to the road.

[WisdomVendor]

I wonder what the cell phone related accidents to drunk driving accidents ratio has grown to. I suspect that it's beyond the point where cell users while driving should experience teh same fines/jail time or more.

[bearfanplay]

I attended a conference at the NSC, Mr. Teater did a fabulous job and I commend him for his courage to talk about this on a daily basis. It brought a tear to my eye and gave me a whole new outlook on cell phone use and I am now spreading the word to 150 drivers at the company I work for. Again THANK YOU.

[KathyCustren]

If a telephone call is important enough to take, then it is worth pulling out of traffic to talk safely. Please...give your full attention to the present moment, and do not let distractions hurt another or end their life. Blessings!

[dwetick]

Just today, at least every other driver I see on the road has a phone stuck to their ear.

Many companies now and more will follow, prohibit their employees from talking on a cell phone while they are driving.

[CmeSusanB]

I NEVER use the phone when I am in the car. If I have to I pull over and call that person back. Bless these poor families and all the others that were effected by STUPID people. They should make laws against phones just like dirving drunk. It seems like more people are getting killed because of phones and texting then, accidents from drinking or drugs while driving. Sad that people are that selfish . It is the innocent people I feel for...not the person who didn't pull over in the first place.

[LadyGaGaPokerFace09]

This is so sad. That girl should be sent a away for life. I was a billboard up and came straight to you tube to check it out.. How sad if it would of happened to my family I would of kill myself.

[chessdrummer]

A lady hit me while I was stopped at a red light. There was no visible damage, but she was on the phone and had no idea where she was driving. I"ve seen people run stop signs and other crazy stuff. Shut up and drive!