From Naples Pathways Coalition
On Wednesday, June 21, 2023, the Naples Pathways Coalition, The Kiefer Foundation, StopDistractions.org, other partner organizations and community members impacted by distracted driving will launch the Just Drive – Hands-Free Florida Coalition to combat the continuous increase in crashes and fatalities caused by distracted driving. All media, law enforcement, and the public are encouraged to attend.
The lives of countless families and individuals across the state of Florida are forever changed because of the prevalence of distraction while behind the wheel. Although underreported, more than 945,380 crashes were caused by distracted driving on Florida roads from 2012 to 2022. Over 33,463 serious injuries and 2,727 fatalities were attributed to distracted driving in that same period.
On June 15, 2023, sentencing of the first distracted driving case to be criminally prosecuted in Florida resulted in the maximum sentence of 30 years in prison for Gregory Andriotis. He killed nine-year-old Logan Sherer, and seriously injured Logan’s parents and sister in 2016 when he was speeding and repeatedly interacting with his phone.
The Just Drive – Hands-Free Florida Coalition aims to bring together businesses, industry, safety groups, law enforcement, and the public to implement effective and efficient programs to end the epidemic of distracted driving, make Florida roads safer, and save lives. We ask that everyone take the pledge to stop distracted driving today: bit.ly/JUSTDRIVEPLEDGE.
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Take the Pledge
- I will make our roads safer for everyone by avoiding all forms of distracted driving.
- As a passenger, I will speak up when others are distracted to protect myself and all other road users.
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Why this petition matters
At least ten people a day are killed in distracted driving crashes. Handheld and hands-free phone calls and texts, emails, social media, passengers, eating, drinking, and even built-in vehicle touchscreens are just some of the distractions fighting for your attention on the road. Multi-tasking behind the wheel is deadly.
"My husband was hit from behind and killed instantly on March 11, 2023, in Naples because a car veered into the bike lane where he was riding. A few seconds of inattention/distraction by the driver has caused so much pain and forever changed the lives of myself, my children, and my grandchildren. Please be responsible and hold your focus on the road, not your phone." - Mary Campeau, grieving widow of Ron Campeau
What is a driving distraction? If something requires your hands, your eyes, or your attention while you’re driving, it’s a distraction. Distracted driving isn’t just risky for you, it can be deadly for every nearby driver, pedestrian, bicyclist, and road worker. What could be so important while driving to risk killing someone?
Pledge to avoid distracted driving and help everyone around you get home safely.
Take the Pledge
- I will make our roads safer for everyone by avoiding all forms of distracted driving.
- As a passenger, I will speak up when others are distracted to protect myself and all other road users.
We all deserve to drive, bike, or walk across roads free of distracted drivers. Help spread the message that when you’re behind the wheel, JUST DRIVE.
If distracted driving has impacted you, please share your story with Michelle@NaplesPathways.org. For more information, visit www.NaplesPathways.org
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Naples Pathways Coalition, Inc. is a private, 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization established in 2005. Its mission is to create safe, bikeable, and walkable communities in Collier County. It is funded through membership, private donations, corporate sponsorships, fundraising events, and grants. Learn more at NaplesPathways.org
The Kiefer Foundation was founded in 2016 to honor 18-year-old Mitchel Kiefer’s legacy after he was tragically killed in an automobile crash caused by a distracted driver. The mission of the Kiefer Foundation is to end distracted driving and all associated traffic deaths and injuries through its three pillars: awareness, policy, and technology. Learn more at mkiefer.org.
Stopdistractions.org is a grassroots non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating the lifelong devastation that results when a loved one is killed or injured in a distracted driving crash. Stopdistractions.org brings together distracted driving victims, victim survivors, foundations, and the general public to build awareness and recognition to this reckless behavior. To reduce distracted driving through advocacy, network and serve the victims, and provide educational information and resources.
