“When people take unnecessary risks and drive distracted, it kills innocent people.”
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today released the latest video in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Faces of Distracted Driving” series.
The video features Loren Vaillancourt, whose 21-year-old brother Kelson was killed in a 2009 distracted driving crash in Huron, South Dakota. Ms. Vaillancourt, who was crowned Miss South Dakota in June 2010 and participated in the 2011 Miss America Pageant, speaks with students at schools across South Dakota about the dangers of distracted driving.
“Faces of Distracted Driving” is a video series exploring the tragic consequences of texting and cell phone use while driving. It features people from across the country who have been injured or lost loved ones in distracted driving crashes. In 2009, nearly 5,500 people died and half a million were injured in accidents involving a distracted driver. The series is part of Secretary LaHood’s effort to raise greater awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.
Thus far automakers who are adding electronic devices at record levels and enabling the problem have done nothing to address the deadly DD epidemic.
Watch: “Kelson Vaillancourt, 21” – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdQDTmKY0vY
“I applaud Loren for the work she is doing to raise awareness about the deadly cost of distracted driving,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “I hope that everyone who hears Loren speak about the tragic loss of her brother Kelson will remember to keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.”
“When people take unnecessary risks and drive distracted, it kills innocent people,” said Loren Vaillancourt. “No family should have to go through the pain my family has endured.”
WATCH: “Faces of Distracted Driving” – www.distraction.gov/faces
The U.S. Department of Transportation is encouraging anyone who would like to share their distracted driving experiences to post videos on YouTube and email the links to: faces@distraction.gov.
To learn more about USDOT’s efforts to stop distracted driving, please visit www.distraction.gov.
