National Safety Council and CTIA-The Wireless Association Release Radio PSA on Dangers of Distracted Driving

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Jun 16, 2010, 02:53 ET

ITASCA, Ill., June 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Safety Council and CTIA-The Wireless Association released a radio public service announcement on the dangers of distracted driving as part of their "On the Road, Off the Phone" campaign during National Wireless Safety Week (June 14-18). The one-minute PSA is being distributed to 5,000 radio stations across the country.

The campaign addresses the critical issue of distracted driving among teens. Teen drivers are the highest risk group for texting behind the wheel. One out of every 4 – or 26 percent – of teens admitted to texting while driving, according to a 2010 Pew Internet & American Life Project survey. NSC and CTIA launched their joint campaign to help parents communicate with their teens and enforce rules to stop distracted driving.

Texting while driving contributes to more than an estimated 200,000 crashes each year. An extremely dangerous behavior, it takes drivers' hands off the wheel and their eyes and minds off the road. However, text messaging has become a common way of communicating. With more than 285 million wireless connections in the United States and more than 1.56 trillion text messages sent in 2009, the "On the Road, Off the Phone" campaign is vital to helping teens stop using cell phones while driving.

"Distracted driving can be deadly. Changing motorists' behaviors behind the wheel is critical to keeping our roads safe. We hope this PSA encourages parents to talk to their teens about the dangers of texting while driving, and that parents prohibit their teens from using their cell phones while driving," said Janet Froetscher, NSC president and CEO.

"For more than 12 years, the wireless industry has been educating consumers about the dangers of distracted driving, and teens and novice drivers are important pieces of the solution. We are proud to continue to partner with NSC to release this radio PSA, as we believe it's vital to the education process," said Steve Largent, CTIA president and CEO.

The radio PSA accompanies the "On the Road, Off the Phone" television PSA released last fall, which received more than 250 million viewer impressions on nearly 350 television stations across the nation. Both are available online at onroadoffphone.org.

The National Safety Council (www.nsc.org) saves lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the roads through leadership, research, education and advocacy.

CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry's leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, DC.

SOURCE National Safety Council