The 2012 Texas Distracted Driving Summit will bring together government and law enforcement officials, educators, medical and insurance professionals and concerned citizens who are committed to addressing this deadly epidemic.

 

This summit aims to increase awareness of the dangers of distracted driving and facilitate education and advocacy efforts that will change behaviors and make Texas roads even safer. April marks National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the need for a summit dedicated to this issue is both clear and urgent. Sadly, the statistics speak for themselves:

 

In 2011 in Texas, 81,103 crashes involved distraction in a vehicle, driver inattention, or cell-phone use; 361 of these crashes were fatal. (Texas Department of Transportation [TxDOT], 2011)

 

• In Texas in 2011, cell phone use was the contributing factor in 3,147 crashes and 40 fatal crashes. (TxDOT, 2011)

 

• In 2009, there were 5,474 people killed and 448,000 injured nationwide in crashes involving distracted driving. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], 2009)

 

• Drivers are 23 times more likely to crash when text messaging behind

the wheel. (NHTSA, 2009)

 

• Nationally, 16 percent of fatal crashes and 20 percent of injury crashes involved reports of distracted driving. (NHTSA, 2009)

 

• Nationally, 16 percent of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported to    have been distracted while driving. (NHTSA, 2009)

 

USAA, the Texas Department of Transportation and Shriners Hospitals for Children are pleased to present this summit and to welcome Ray LaHood, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation as its keynote speaker.

 

Seating is limited and reservations are required: please email DistractedDrivingSolutions@usaa.com 

or call 210-498-0389 by April 23, 2012.