I apologize about the late notice.
“The Oprah Winfrey Show” and WJLA-TV welcome media and the general public to the D.C. rally to raise awareness and reduce the number of accidents from mobile phone use behind the wheel. Those in attendance may appear on camera during an episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
WHEN: Friday, April 30, 2010
Doors open at 9:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – No Phone Zone rally
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Viewing of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” No Phone Zone Day special episode which airs on WJLA-TV at 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Newseum – Atrium
555 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.,
Washington, DC 20001
WHO: Sec. Ray LaHood, Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation
Gayle King, Editor-at-large for O, The Oprah Magazine
Leon Harris, WJLA-TV Anchor
Cathy Lanier, Chief of Police, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department
Deborah Hersman, Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board
Jennifer Smith, President, Founding Director, FocusDriven
WHY: Nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted driver, and more than half a million were injured. Washington, D.C. bans the use of all hand-held cell phone while driving, yet a 2010 Washington Post poll reported eighty percent of D.C.-area adults often see distracted driving.
You can sign Oprah's No Phone Zone pledge here. And I think it could apply to distracted biking (I personally don't think it's wise to ride while dealing with a phone).
I've seen a few people talking on a cellphone headset while riding on their bikes. They swerve and ignore their surroundings just as much as distracted drivers do. Definitely not a good idea.
Posted by: Michael H. | April 30, 2010 at 02:51 PM