We often hear about the imminent danger that cell phone use behind the wheel can present. In fact, we here at Driving Today carry this message in our columns frequently because the issue is so real. But that message gains added power when it is personalized, and no one knows about that better than the National Safety Council’s Senior Director of Transportation Initiatives, David Teater. Teater’s 12-year-old son Joe was killed in a motor vehicle collision in 2004, and the driver who caused the crash was distracted by a cell phone.
Now, in a series of NSC-produced videos available on YouTube, Teater is talking about the experience and the level of threat that distracted driving involves. In short two- to three-minute clips, Teater answers 12 questions, including why cell phones are a particularly dangerous distraction, and explains the science behind cognitive distraction. The videos also address how employers can protect their employees with workplace policies. Called “Understanding Distracted Driving,” the videos address the most frequently asked questions about driver cell phone use, and they are free to download.
“Cell phone use and driving are a dangerous, and oftentimes deadly, combination,” says Teater. “The resources NSC has developed explain why this behavior is so dangerous and provide solutions on how to go about changing behaviors to make our roadways safer.”
Prior to joining NSC, Teater’s 30-year business career included serving as CEO of a research and strategy firm that provided consulting services to most auto manufacturers. He is a frequent speaker on the topic of distracted driving, has testified before the U.S. Congress and has appeared before several state legislatures to advocate restrictions on cell phone use while driving.
