What: AAA Northern New England in conjunction with the Vermont Highway Safety Alliance, and the Association of General Contractors are hosting the Vermont Distracted Driving Safety Awareness Day. It starts with a media event on the steps of the State house, followed by a short “AAA Walk to End Distracted Driving” through downtown Montpelier and back to the State House. Refreshments will be served as AAA, AT&T, 3M, Vermont State Police, Local Motion and other traffic safety partners host interactive activities and displays on the front lawn of the State House.
When: Friday, June 7th 11:45am
Where: State House steps, Montpelier
Who: Dan Goodman, Manager of Public Affairs AAA Northern New England
Thomas Anderson, Commissioner Public Safety
Wanda Minoli, Commissioner Department of Motor Vehicles
Chief Anthony Facos, Montpelier Police Department
Michael S. Pieciak, Commissioner Department of Financial Regulation
Sharon Huntley- Mother who lost her son to distracted driving
Why: AAA Northern New England will host this press event to present statistics about driver distraction, as well as partner with law enforcement and state officials, to remind drivers, “Don’t Drive Intoxicated. Don’t Drive Intexticated”. The goal is to make smartphone use while driving as socially unacceptable as alcohol-impaired driving. In 2017, distracted driving killed 3,166 people nationwide. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claims an average of nine lives each day and seriously injures 1,000 more, although experts believe those numbers are likely much higher.
Visuals: A crashed car that was involved in a distracted driving crash
Distracted Driving Simulator experience
AAA’s TV PSA’s “Don’t Drive Intoxicated. Don’t Drive Intexticated”
B-Roll of actual teen distracted driving crashes
Spencer Huntley Tribute Video
AAA Campaign Graphics 1, 2, 3, 4
Maine Distracted Drivng Crash Video
Contact: Dan Goodman goodman.daniel@nne.aaa.com (207)756-4112