FocusDriven Applauds U.S. House Passage of Resolution to Designate April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

GRAPEVINE, Texas, March 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- FocusDriven – Advocates for Cell-Free Driving today announced its support of the U.S. House of Representatives passage of a resolution (H. Res. 1186) that designates April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The resolution, passed on March 23 by a 410-2 vote, urges Americans to consider the lives of others on the road and put an end to distracted driving.  

Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO) introduced H. Res. 1186 to encourage others to stop driving distracted, particularly on a cell phone. The resolution also supports FocusDriven's efforts in this initiative and mentions 9-year-old Erica Forney, who was struck and killed by a distracted driver in Fort Collins, CO, in November 2008.

"My husband and I thank Congresswoman Markey and the House for approving this resolution. We believe National Distracted Driving Awareness Month can help raise awareness nationwide on the dangers of talking or texting on a cell phone while driving," said Shelley Forney, Erica's mother and founding board member of FocusDriven. "Erica's memory will forever live on through this resolution and help prevent other distracted driving deaths from occurring."

The National Safety Council estimates 28 percent of all crashes – or 1.6 million crashes – each year are caused by drivers talking on their cell phones or texting while driving.

FocusDriven – Advocates for Cell-Free Driving (focusdriven.org) is a nonprofit advocacy organization for victims of motor vehicle crashes involving drivers using cell phones. FocusDriven supports victims of cell phone distracted driving and families of victims. Its goal is to increase public awareness on the dangers of cell phone distracted driving by putting a human face on the disastrous impact of the behavior, in order to promote corresponding public policies, programs and personal responsibility.

SOURCE FocusDriven