Distracted Driving Awareness Event Scheduled

State Rep. Brandon Neuman said he hopes that educating people about the importance of safe driving habits that caused 387,000 injuries and 3,331 deaths in 2011 will help curb distracted driving.

To help raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, Neuman, D-North Strabane, and state Sen. Rob Teplitz, of York County, will co-sponsor a news conference at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Capitol Media Center in Harrisburg.

"Distracted driving takes a terrible toll on our families, communities and safety," said Neuman, whose resolution designating April as "Distracted Driving Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania won unanimous approval in the House. 

"It’s crucial to public safety that we continue to remind motorists to keep both eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel," Teplitz said. "Just one moment of distraction can change the lives of not only a driver, but passengers, surrounding drivers and pedestrians, as well as their loved ones.

The lawmaker added "No text message is worth risking lives," and added that he will be introducing a Senate resolution designating April as "Distracted Driving Awareness Month," as well.

The event will feature a talk and multi-media presentation by Joel Feldman of Philadelphia, whose 21-year-old daughter, Casey, was killed by a distracted driver in 2009.

Through the Casey Feldman Foundation and a website, www.enddd.org, Joel Feldman has reached hundreds of thousands of students, families, educators and public officials about ending distracted driving.

"The presentation is heart-wrenching, powerful and illuminating," Neuman said. "Its videos, blogs, posters and commentaries will challenge every mind and leave no heart untouched."

The Pennsylvania and American Associations for Justice also are supporting the campaigns against distracted driving.