Davis Law Group, P.S.

LaHood Commends Audi and Volkswagen for Safe Driving Program

Many employers across the nation have started driving awareness programs in the workplace to encourage safe driving on the roadways. This has been strongly encouraged by U.S Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.

LaHood spent time with hundreds of Volkswagen and Audi employees at their headquarters for America in Virginia. The meeting was a celebration of a new employee education initiative, “Enjoy the Ride. Don’t text and drive.”

Four thousand Volkswagen and Audi employees took responsibility for safe driving, personally, and signed a banner pledging to never text behind the wheel.

The employees involved, have even been talking with family and friends regarding distracted driving and encouraging them to refrain from texting and emailing while driving.

LaHood has been traveling across the country and asking people to take personal responsibility and to put their devices away. Several large companies, such as Volkswagen and Audi, are signing up to be part of the initiative.

“I am proud of the leadership these companies have taken to increase safety for their employees and for everyone who uses our roads,” LaHood said.

Network of Employers for Traffic Safety is a resource for materials, information and statistics on distracted driving prevention through employer efforts. NETS’ holds an annual Drive Safely Work Week that is approaching October 4-8. Visit their website to learn more about the program and to download free tools and information.

Distracted Driving Statistics 

The federal government estimated that by 2007 11 percent of drivers were talking on their phones at any given time. Harvard University researchers have estimated that drivers using cell phones are causing more than 2,500 or more fatal crashes a year and more than 500,000 injury accidents annually. In 2008, distracted driving motor vehicle accidents killed nearly 6,000 Americans.