GETTING TOUGH ON DISTRACTED DRIVING.
The Osgood File. This is Charles Osgood.
We all know now that drunk driving kills - but we're just beginning to realize that distracted driving kills, too: more than 3,000 people in this country were killed and 416,000 injured in a single year.
Ray LaHood, the Secretary of Transportation, calls it a "national epidemic."
SOT - Ray LaHood, Transportation Secretary
"In order to really have an impact, we need to change people's behavior. One way to do that is to write 'em a ticket." (:07)
A lot of places are doing that already - most recently, North Carolina - as you'll hear after this...
((( BREAK )))
From Chapel Hill, North Carolina - here's our CBS news colleague Anna Werner...
VO - Anna Werner, CBS News Correspondent
"Two years ago, 23-year-old Krista Slough was walking to a bus stop when she was hit by a car. A witness told her the driver was on a cell phone. A brain hemorrhage forced her to miss a year of college. She has chronic headaches and memory lapses." (:16)
SOT - Krista Slough
"One of the hardest parts about having this type of brain injury for me is just being able to see something and imagine it - but not be able to find the word for it." (:08)
VO - Anna Werner
"Slough joined others to push for Chapel Hill's new prohibition of drivers using cell phones. It's the first ban in the country to include hands-free devices. The penalty is a 25 dollar fine - but it only applies to motorists stopped for another traffic violation, like speeding. And there are exceptions for taking calls from a spouse, for instance - or in an emergency." (:23)
SOT - Krista Slough
"I think that'll make them think twice, at least." (:02)
VO - Anna Werner
"But some business owners oppose the ban. Mark England runs an emergency cleaning service. He spends most of the day taking calls on the road." (:10)
SOT - Mark England
"It would certainly hurt my business. I would lose work as a result of that. Twenty-five dollars versus missing what could be a several thousand dollar call - I'm going to have to take the call." (:10)
Chapel Hill's ban is temporarily on hold pending resolution of some legal issues.
Secretary LaHood is urging state and local governments to crack down on distracted driving.
The Osgood File. Charles Osgood on the CBS Radio Network. |
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