By Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-925137.mp3
Washington, D.C. – Distracted driving was the topic of a U-S Department of Transportation Summit in Washington Tuesday.
New York State DMV Commissioner David Swarts who joined the top transportation officials, including U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, for the event.
"We are seeing the level of interest in doing something about this problem rise very rapidly," said Swarts.
Commissioner Swarts said New York was only one of two states selected to receive $200,000 in federal funding to develop a pilot program to fight distracted driving. The pilot program is underway in Syracuse.
Already the number of individuals using hand held device has dropped 38% and those ticketed for texting has declined 42%.
"So we know that this model works. The results we see here in New York State will be used nationwide to develop a program," said Swarts.
It's a public awareness campaign asking drivers to pay attention to the roads. Swarts says this will also target texting while driving and getting people to change their behaviors while behind the wheel.
Swarts said it will be similar to the awareness programs that promoted the use of seat belts. This will include texting while driving. Swarts noted that the fastest growing group of texters are adults.
Over 5,000 deaths each year are attributed to distracted driving. Secretary LaHood has described distracted driving as an epidemic.