Denver, CO - 6000 people. In 2008, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 6000 people died in traffic accidents as a direct result of distracted driving.
One of the major contributors to distracted driving accidents is the use of cell phones. Whether talking, texting or e-mailing, using a cell phone while driving is a distraction that contributes directly to thousands of automotive deaths and injuries.
Government estimates show more than half a million people were injured in car accidents as a result of some form of distracted driving. Perhaps more surprising is that using a cell phone while driving, whether hand-held or hands-free, delays a driver's reactions as much as a driver above the legal limit for driving under the influence of alcohol in Colorado.
Today 9NEWS announces The Great Hang-Up with the intent of convincing drivers to end dangerous behaviors while behind the wheel to enhance their safety and that of other drivers who share the road.
9NEWS President and General Manager Mark Cornetta said "the statistics are undeniable. Driving while using a cell phone takes away a driver's concentration from what they should be doing which is focusing on the road. I'm proud Gannett is taking this leadership step and I am confident that we can galvanize public support for this initiative across the Networks of 9NEWS."
To this end, viewers can download, print and distribute The Great Hang Up Pledge which states that drivers will "pledge to do my best to stop using my cell phone while driving. I will not text, e-mail, or talk on my phone while I am driving my car. I understand that driving while distracted is dangerous to me and to others on the road. I will do my best to pass this message on to others I care about."
"We've all seen drivers on their cell phones that simply are not paying attention to what's going on around them" said 9NEWS Vice President and News Director Patti Dennis. "In launching The Great Hang Up, we've told our entire staff including reporters and photographers that their primary focus when behind the wheel of a 9NEWS vehicle needs to be on the road, not on a phone. Our people will be committed to this effort for the long-term safety of our staff and our viewers and readers with whom we share the road."
9NEWS will launch The Great Hang Up this evening at 9pm on My20 and again on 9NEWS at 10pm with the first in an on-going series of stories by 9NEWS reporter and weekend morning anchor, Eric Kahnert. "9NEWS has such a long history of public service that I'm really proud to be reporting The Great Hang Up. My hope is that by doing story after story highlighting the issue of distracted driving and showing the potentially tragic consequences can change people's minds and convince them to put down those cell phones when they're on the road."
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