Commentary

Site Lets You Anonymously Tell Loved Ones to Watch the Road

If you’re like me -- deeply conflict-averse -- then you probably don’t relish the idea of calling out your loved ones for their stupid behavior. But some things are so important you can’t let them slide, and that definitely includes distracted driving. Happily for those of us who shy away from confrontation, there is now an anonymous online site that lets you tell your loved ones to put the smartphone down and watch the damn road, please.

The site, DecidetoDrive.org, allows you to enter the email address of the errant driver in question, who will then receive an email containing safe driving tips -- a “Wreckless Checklist” -- including not texting, talking on the phone, eating, or applying make up while driving. Visitors to the site can also share distracted driving stories; participate in contests and events; help spread the message through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube; and download mobile wallpaper with safe driving reminders.

The campaign is sponsored by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 3,328 fatalities resulting from accidents that involved distracted driving in 2012. Meanwhile a survey by the AAOS and Harris Interactive found that 94% of drivers believe that distracted driving is a problem in the U.S.

Last year the Outdoor Advertising Association of America lent its support to a public service advisory campaign organized by the Ad Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to raise awareness of the dangers associated with texting and driving. OAAA members donated out-of-home inventory, including over 1,000 billboards and bus shelters to the campaign, which carries the tagline “Stop the Texts. Stop the Wrecks.”

The Ad Council has been working with state attorneys general to stop reckless driving by teens since 2006, including the “Stop the Texts. Stop the Wrecks” campaign, which launched in October 2011.

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