High school campaign aims to reduce distracted driving

Groves High School and the Academy of the Sacred Heart are just two early participants in a contest aimed at taking a stand against distracted driving. Students can make the pledge at Michigan.gov/teendriver for a chance for their school to win $2,500 for student activities.

Distraction-Free in the ‘D’ is a partnership between the Michigan Secretary of State’s office and the Sam Bernstein Law Firm to raise awareness about the risks of distracted driving and prevent injuries and fatalities.

“As drivers, our attention should be on the task of driving at all times, not on passengers, mobile phones or anything else,” Secretary of State Ruth Johnson said. “We are encouraging young people to pledge that they will avoid all of the distractions and focus on driving.”

Traffic crashes are the leading cause of teen deaths. In nearly six out of 10 incidents, driver distraction was involved, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

“We have learned first-hand about the dangers of distracted driving, with far too many cases coming through our office of carelessness leading to injury,” said Mark Bernstein, president and managing partner of the Sam Bernstein Law Firm. “This program is designed to break habits before they start and motivate young drivers to stay safe by learning early how to focus only on the road.”

Two of the most common distractions causing teen driver crashes are interacting with passengers and using a cellphone. Just one teen passenger doubles the risk that a teen driver will get into a fatal crash. Three or more quadruples the risk. And while most teens understand texting is dangerous while driving, surveys show most don’t believe that talking on a mobile phone while driving is dangerous.

In Michigan, Kelsey’s Law bans teens with a Level 1 or 2 graduated driver’s license from using a phone while driving. It’s named for Kelsey Raffaele, 17, of Sault Ste. Marie, who died in a mobile phone-related automobile crash in 2010. Michigan also outlaws texting while driving for drivers of all ages.

The Distraction-Free in the ‘D’ campaign features a contest that runs through Oct. 12. Students at high schools in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties can go to Michigan.gov/teendriver to take a pledge against distracted driving. Parents, school faculty, staff and supporters can go to the same site to take a quiz. Those who complete a pledge or quiz will earn a point for their high school.

Schools are divided into the four enrollment-based classifications used by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (class A, B, C and D) for competitive purposes. At the end of the contest period, the school in each classification with the highest percentage of participation will be awarded $2,500 for student activities. This will be calculated by adding up the pledges and quizzes for each school divided by its population.

The winning schools will be announced during National Teen Driver Safety Week in late October. No taxpayer funds are being used in the contest.

Invitations to participate were sent to high school administrators earlier this month. School officials can confirm participation by contacting sos-news@michigan.gov by Sept. 21.