Distracted Driving Programs

 Driving is a big part of life in Montgomery County, and accidents happen. But crashes are a different story. With the ever-increasing role that a variety of technologies, especially cell phones, are playing in our lives and cars, couple with busy lifestyles, drivers are not always paying full attention to the road. In 2014, there were 1,128 distracted driving crashes in Montgomery County. More importantly, experts believe that distracted driving—defined as driving a vehicle while engaging in an activity that has the potential to distract the driver from the task of driving—is being seriously underreported. It’s a huge and growing problem.

 The Montgomery County Safe Driving Task Force was formed in 2015 to address this problem. The Task Force brings together a variety of agencies, including DUI Administration, AAA, municipal and state police departments, PennDOT, County Courts, the Health Department and the District Attorney’s Office to collaboratively address traffic safety issues focusing on distracted driving with a goal of reducing traffic injuries and fatalities in Montgomery County.

  As an aid in that effort, this website provides resources to help help educate and raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving. The Task Force does not endorse any particular program or phone app, but strives to provide a comprehensive list of available resources for the general public’s use as well as for use by educators in training some of our youngest drivers.

PHONE APPS THAT CAN HELP
 
AT&T DriveMode

A free app that helps avoid distractions from text message alerts and incoming calls while driving. When enabled, incoming alerts are silenced, sending text messages are restricted and incoming calls go directly to voicemail. The app turns itself on when it at 15 mph or more and turns off when the speed drops below 15 mph. Parents with young drivers can receive a text message alerting them if the app is turned off. Available for Android and iPhones.

Cellcontrol

Designed for parents, Cellcontrol is a subscription-based service that features a device inserted under the dashboard and an accompanying app that blocks your teen from sending or receiving texts while driving. It also disables other phone features while the car is in motion, such as using email or accessing the camera. Parents get a text or e-mail alert if Cellcontrol is deactivated or removed. Available for Android and iPhones.

DriveSafe.ly

Instead of shutting down communications entirely, DriveSafe.ly reads text messages and emails out loud in real time, including shortcuts like LOL, and sends an auto response. Available for Android.

Drive Safe Mode

Designed with parents in mind, this app prevents texting and emailing while driving. It can notify a parent or guardian when the phone is in use and if the driver shuts off the app while on the road. Available for Android and iPhones.

LifeSaver

The free app stays silent in the background and automatically wakes up to lock the phone when driving. Enables a parent or guardian to monitor the driver for distracted driving and to reward the driver for safe driving. through the driver portal. Available for iPhone.

Live2Txt

Live2Txt is an app that lets you block incoming texts and calls while driving. Turn the app on when you get behind the wheel, and it silences a smartphone from incoming notifications, texts and calls. When the phone receives a message, the app sends a customized message that the phone owner is unable to respond at the moment. Available for Android.

OneProtect

OneProtect provides more control for parents. Once the app is installed on a teen’s phone, the parent turns it on remotely, making it impossible for a teen to turn off the app without the parents’ knowledge. The app activates when the car passes a threshold speed (typically 15 mph) and asks if the phone owner is a passenger or driver. For drivers, manual calling and texting features are disabled but the driver can send and receive hands-free calls, texts and emails. Available for Android.

SafeCell

SafeCell aims to curb distracted driving in a couple of ways: it intercepts calls and texts and auto-responds with a message letting the caller/texter know that you’re driving and can’t be reached. Available for Android.

TextNoMore

TextNoMore is a rewards based anti-Text-While-Driving application that rewards cell phone owners with FREE Groupon "like" rewards for not Texting While Driving —everything from free coffee to 50% off favorite restaurants, retail and services. Available for Android.

PRESENTATIONS

Alive at 25

A four-hour driver awareness and improvement class aimed at young drivers, ages 15-24.

Format: Classroom education

Audience: Teens

Cost: $82

Frequency: As scheduled, generally monthly

Organization: Montgomery County Community College

More Information: 215-641-6551

Unraveling the Mystery of Teen Crashes

Classroom presentation focusing on distracted driving, crash types and impaired driving.

Format: Classroom Education (School Setting)

Audience: Teens

Cost: Free

Frequency: Upon request

Organization: The Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Safety and Education (AAA Mid-Atlantic)

More Information: Sara Weir 215-343-2660, ext. 71304

Distracted Driving for Employers/Employees

Distracted driving online learning course to help organizations lower liability risk and costs associated with motor vehicle crashes.

Format: Online Course

Audience: Adult (Employers and Employees)

Cost: Call 800-621-7619 to speak with a representative

Frequency: As needed

Sponsoring Organization: National Safety Council

More Information:www.nsc.org/learn/NSC-Initiatives 

End DD

Distracted driving advocate working to change driving attitudes and habits and raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.

Format: School and Workplace Presentations

Audience: Teen and Adult

Cost: Fill out online request form

Frequency: Upon request

Organization: The Casey Feldman Memorial Foundation

More Information: 855-363-3478 or info@EndDD.org

Cruisin’ Smart

The speakers live with life-changing injuries, ranging from paralysis to brain injuries, and many of them are former Bryn Mawr Rehab patients who want to give back to a larger community. They were either a driver, passenger, pedestrian or passing motorist when their lives changed forever in a single moment. They share first-hand accounts of what happened after one tragic decision behind the wheel.

Format: School Presentations

Audience: Teen and Adult

Cost: $400 per presentation

Frequency: Upon request

Organization: Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital

More Information: Patricia Santoro 484-596-5406

SantoroP@mlhs.org

Pennsylvania State Police

Variety of presentations topics available upon request.

Format: School Presentations

Audience: Teen and Adult

Cost: Free

Frequency: Upon request

Organization: PA State Police

More Information: Trooper Wright: DEAWRIGHT@pa.gov or

Trooper Durham: ddurham@pa.gov

Teen Driving Safety

Teen Driving Safety presentation incorporates a 22-minute documentary (co-produced by the DA’s Office and Action News/WPVI) called “Jessica’s Story,” which shares the story of a local teenager who was killed while riding in a car driven by a teenage friend under the influence of alcohol.

Format: School Presentations

Audience: Teen and Adult

Cost: Free

Frequency: Upon request

Organization: Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office

More Information: 610-278-3090

DISTRACTED DRIVING WEBSITES

CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/distracted_driving/index.html

NHTSA: https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving

National Safety Council: www.nsc.org/learn/NSC-Initiatives/Pages/distracted-driving.aspx

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety: www.aaafoundation.org/distracted-driving

Governor’s Highways Safety Association: www.ghsa.org/html/issues/distraction/index.html