[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 24, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E479-E480]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              NATIONAL DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 23, 2010

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1186 to 
support designation of April as National Distracted Driving Awareness 
Month.
  Distracted driving is a growing danger on the nation's roads. 
According to the recent National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey, 
80 percent of all traffic incidents and 65 percent of all near-crashes 
involve some type of distraction. Cell phone usage is a growing 
culprit, causing an estimated 2,600 deaths and nearly 330,000 injuries 
every year.
  Strong federal action is needed to address this serious public safety 
issue. Last year, Transportation Secretary LaHood convened the first-
ever Distracted Driving Summit. This led to the formation of 
FocusDriven, the nation's first nonprofit devoted to combating 
distracted driving, and the creation of www.distraction.gov, the 
federal government's official Web site to educate the public about the 
dangers of distracted driving. The designation of Distracted Driving 
Awareness Month is an important part of this public awareness campaign.
  Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained at the time of the vote on H. 
Res. 1186. I had intended to vote for this important resolution. I 
applaud Secretary LaHood's efforts to ensure driver safety and support 
the designation of Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

[[Page E480]]



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