Jones Beach Events Doing Its Part to Stop Distracted Driving

April 25, 2012 - PRLog -- Bohemia, New York – Jones Beach Events announced today, that, effective April 20, 2012, all employees are banned from texting or talking on a hand-held cell phone while behind the wheel of a company vehicle or while using a company issued phone in their personal vehicle.

“We have a responsibility to make sure every time one of our employees gets behind the wheel they put down their cell phones,” said Rocco Panetta. “Putting away our cell phones is a critical part in making sure that not only are our employees safe, but those traveling around them are safe as well. We are proud to be a strong community partner and hope that other businesses in this community will join us to help stop distracted driving.”

Distracted driving is a deadly problem that affects the entire nation and us right here in New York.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2009, nearly 6,000 people died in crashes involving a distracted driver, and more than half a million others were injured.  Additionally, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.

For more information on distracted driving, please visit, www.textingawareness.org.