2022 Beat Distracted Driving PSA Campaign

The 100 Deadliest Days of Summer by KMTV 6.5.19

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Father Remebers Daughter Lost to Distracted Driving, Reminds Others to Focus on the Road by WOWT 4.27.19

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Cell Phone Use a Factor in Morning Collisions by WOWT 2.12.19

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Teens Make up Disproportionate Amount of Cell Phone Related Crashes by KMTV 12.19.18

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Push to Toughen Distracted Driving Laws by KMTV 11.27.18

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Son's Death in Wreck Prompt's Family's Advocacy by KMTV 11.20.18

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National Safety Council President Says We Need to Shift Our Thinking by KMTV 11.1.18

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Story submitted by T. Karns 10.19.18

I was sitting at a red light when someone hit me from behind- they were texting and driving.  It gave me a lower lumbar strain. One year later, I'm still missing family events and in pain.  I have had several procedures to help the pain, nothing works.  PLEASE don't text and drive, I am alive to talk about this, but it could have ended another way.

Submit your distracted driving story here. 

 

Businesses Asked to Take Stand Against Distracted Driving by KMTV 10.2.18

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National Safety Council, Nebraska Launches Ad Campaign by KMTV 9.12.18

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A Focus on Distraction by WOWT 9.12.18

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New Ads Spotlight Human Cost of Distracted Driving by KMTV 9.11.18

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Distracted Driving Crashes on the Rise by WOWT 7.25.18

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Speaking out is the easiest and most effective way for citizens to make an impact in national and local politics. Advocacy is necessary to let Nebraska lawmakers know that NSCN and many Nebraskans support stricter laws and tougher penalties. Experts from National Safety Council, Nebraska often testify before the legislature on bills concerning roadway safety. Contact your senator to turn your passive participation into active resistance. Calling is the most effective way to influence your representative. If you don't know who your Senator is or their contact information, click the button below. 

Find Your Senator

Distractions now join alcohol and speeding as leading factors in fatal and serious injury crashes. According to the National Safety Council, 28% of motor vehicle crashes involve the use of cell phones, resulting in approximately 1.6 million crashes annually. Whether on the clock or off, crashes can affect your business, resulting in missed work and affecting employer costs, including:

• Insurance and Liability Premiums
• Workers’ Compensation/ Medical and Disability Contributions
• Vehicle or Property Damage
• Crash-Related Legal Expenses
• Lost Productivity 

Three steps to help protect employees from distracted driving:

1. Create a Policy

Develop a formal, written policy stating the company's position on mobile device use and other distractions while driving. Download a free policy kit below. 

2. Communicate the Importance

Effective policies are communicated often and in various forms. Send regular messaging to employees via emails, newsletters, social media and training sessions to reinforce the policy. Free materials are available via the Become an Advocate tab.

3. Lead by Example

Company leadership must promote the desired safe driving behavior in order to create a company culture where cell phone use while driving is unacceptable. Let employees know that while they are on the road, no phone call or email is more important than their safety.

Implement a Cell Phone Ban

Businesses without policies prohibiting cell phone use while driving are exposing their employees and themselves to increased crash risk and liability. The National Safety Council recommends policies prohibiting both hands-free and handheld devices for all employees. 

A corporate cell phone ban might ask employees to: Turn off wireless phones or other devices before starting the car. Inform clients, associates and business partners that calls will be returned when no longer driving. Pull over to a safe location and put the vehicle in park if a call must be made.

Read why the world's largest manufacturer of fiberglass and related products chose to implement a distracted driving policy banning cell phone use for all employees.

OWENS CORNING CORPORATION CASE STUDY

A sample cell phone policy kit is available from National Safety Council.

Educate Employees

Promote distraction free driving as a way to ensure a safe workplace and protect employee from preventable injury. NSCN recommends the following resources to help create a culture of safety.

• A distracted driving presentation is a great way to get started on raising awareness of the dangers of this deadly habit. To schedule a presentation, please contact us.
•  Use free educational materials under our Become an Advocate tab to promote safe driving habits among employees. 

• ·         In 2019, Nebraskan drivers were involved in 4,566 crashes caused by distracted driving resulting in 19 fatalities and 1,495 injuries (NDOT, 2021)

  ·         From 2010 to 2019, 40,946 crashes were caused by distracted driving which lead to 14,018 injuries and 119 fatalities in Nebraska alone (NDOT, 2021)

  ·         Distracted driving accounted for 12% of all total traffic crashes in Nebraska for 2019 (NDOT, 2021)

  ·         Distracted driving deaths have tripled since 2010 (NDOT, 2020)

  ·         Distracted driving crashes has surpassed impaired driving crashes at 5x the rate (NDOT, 2020)

  ·         By 2030, 15% of all motor vehicle crashes are expected to be caused by distracted driving (NDOT, 2021)

  ·         In 2019, Nebraskan teens (31%) and adults (69%) combined for 134 cell phone related crashes (NDOT, 2021)

  ·         In 2019, 39% of high school students that drove in the past 30 days either texted or emailed while driving (CDC, 2020)

  ·         You are 23x more likely to be involved in a crash if you are texting behind the wheel (NDOT, 2019)

  ·         Since 2011, rear ended crashes have increased by 21.7% (NDOT, 2021)

  ·         You would have driven the length of a football field if you were sending a text while driving at 55 MPH. On average it takes 4.6 seconds to send a message (NHTSA, 2021)

  ·         Hands-free is not risk free. Driving hands-free you are 5x more likely to be in a crash (NDOT, 2020)

  ·         Driving hands-free, we have a 37% reduction in depth perception, spatial awareness and 10% reduction in reaction time (NDOT,2020)

  ·         Nebraska has seen an increase of 31.7% of distracted related crashes since 2010 (NDOT, 2020)

  ·         Since 2010, Nebraskan teens have been involved in 387 cell phone related traffic crashes (NDOT,2020)

  ·         Nationally, distracted driving claimed 3,142 lives in 2019 (NHTSA,2021)

  ·         Cell phone/Hand-held use while driving in Nebraska is a secondary law. (GHSA,2021)

  ·         Distracted driving is drastically under reported due to deniability of their actions, difficult to investigate, and data may not be reported consistently.

  ·         Schools and employers are implementing cell phone policies to prevent property damages, injuries, and deaths.

  Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office (NDOT HSO). Nebraska Drivers Involved in Distracted Driving Crashes. September 30, 2020  http://dot.nebraska.gov/media/6510/dvrcell.pdf

  Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office (NDOT HSO). Nebraska Drivers Involved in Traffic Crashes with Cell Phone Distractions. October 26, 2020 http://dot.nebraska.gov/media/6510/dvrcell.pdf

  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Transportation Safety: Distracted Driving. March 2, 2021
  http://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/distracted_driving/index.html

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) December 2021.
  http://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
   

  Governors Highway Safety Association. Distracted Driving. April, 2021
  http://www.ghsa.org/state-laws/issues/distracted-driving

Nebraska's Revised Statute 60-6,179.01.

Use of handheld wireless communication device; prohibited acts; enforcement; violation; penalty.

(1) This section does not apply to an operator of a commercial motor vehicle if section 60-6,179.02 applies.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, no person shall use a handheld wireless communication device to read a written communication, manually type a written communication, or send a written communication while operating a motor vehicle which is in motion.
(3) The prohibition in subsection (2) of this section does not apply to:
(a) A person performing his or her official duties as a law enforcement officer, a firefighter, an ambulance driver, or an emergency medical technician; or
(b) A person operating a motor vehicle in an emergency situation.
(4) Enforcement of this section by state or local law enforcement agencies shall be accomplished only as a secondary action when a driver of a motor vehicle has been cited or charged with a traffic violation or some other offense.
(5) Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of a traffic infraction. Any person who is found guilty of a traffic infraction under this section shall be assessed points on his or her motor vehicle operator's license pursuant to section 60-4,182 and shall be fined:
(a) Two hundred dollars for the first offense;
(b) Three hundred dollars for a second offense; and
(c) Five hundred dollars for a third and subsequent offense.
(6) For purposes of this section:
(a) Commercial motor vehicle has the same meaning as in section 75-362;
(b)(i) Handheld wireless communication device means any device that provides for written communication between two or more parties and is capable of receiving, displaying, or transmitting written communication.
(ii) Handheld wireless communication device includes, but is not limited to, a mobile or cellular telephone, a text messaging device, a personal digital assistant, a pager, or a laptop computer.
(iii) Handheld wireless communication device does not include an electronic device that is part of the motor vehicle or permanently attached to the motor vehicle or a handsfree wireless
communication device; and
(c) Written communication includes, but is not limited to, a text message, an instant message, electronic mail, and Internet web sites.

Cell Phone Use Best Practice: 

No driver should use a cell phone while driving. This includes reading, writing or sending text or electronic messages, surfing the web, talking on a handsfree or hand held device and voice to text. All drivers should turn off cell phones while operating a motor vehicle.

A reminder that it is illegal to text and drive.

Rules and Regulations

This competition is available to all high school students who currently attend a public or private high school in the State of Nebraska. Students may represent the entire high school or a specific organization or club sponsored by the high school.
 

Be Creative.  Have Fun.  Think outside the box!

1.       Be SAFE. Do not attempt video stunts, dangerous situations, dangerous locations and NO driving a vehicle during the production of your video. It is your responsibility to be safe and make sure no one is harmed during the making of your video.

2.       Participants must complete the application form online so that submissions can be tracked.

3.       Participants must read and agree to contest rules and regulations in order to be considered eligible for the contest.

4.       Adults may assist with production; however, they are limited to verbal guidance ONLY. Adults are allowed to be actors, but NOT content contributors.

5.       Entries must only contain original and non-copyrighted material. No copy written music, branded material, logos, etc. Cannot be used without express written permission from the copyright holder.

6.       The National Safety Council - Nebraska Chapter reserve the right to disqualify any submission for any reason deemed necessary.

7.       Submitted videos will not be eligible if they contain or appear to contain:

a.       Dangerous activity either behind-the-wheel or other.

b.       Profane or obscene material or language

c.       Nudity, profanity, or gratuitous violence

d.       Endorsement of illegal drug use, alcohol abuse, prescription drug use, or any other illegal activity.

e.       Derogatory characterization of any person or group

f.        Any other content deemed inappropriate by competition sponsors

g.       Any copyrighted or trademarked materials without express written consent from the copyright or trademark holder.  Anonymous

 

Technical Requirements

·         Each video will be no more than 30 seconds and no less than 15 seconds.

·         There should be 5 seconds of black at the beginning of the video with a “by title card”. Your title card should include: Team Name (include hashtags), high school name/location, film title, and the words “Beat Distracted Driving”.

·         Resolution can be 720x480, 1280x720, or 1920x1080. The higher the quality, the better.

·         Audio must be balanced

 

How films will be judged

A total of 5 videos will be chosen as winning videos. A video will be chosen from each category of school size (Class A, B, C, D) plus one Spanish speaking video (may be submitted by any Nebraska school).

Videos will be judged in two ways; a “judge’s score” and by “social media score”. The judges will be made up of an independent committee of safety professionals and marketers. Social media score will be gauged by the “likes”, “shares”, and other social media statistics. Contest qualifying social media platforms include Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.

Important Tracking: When using social media to promote your video, please include TWO (2) hashtags: #BeatDistractedDriving and #YourChosenHashtagHere. Your chosen hashtag MUST include your schools’ name/initials (example: LNEOurPsaTheme or LincolnNortheastOurPSATheme)

Registration Submissions

Each team or individual who would like to submit a video, to be considered for the contest, must register to compete at www.SafeNebraska.org/BeatDistractedDrivingPSA

File Submission

Each team or individual may post their video on Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, and/or Instagram. Video submissions posted prior to post date, will not accrue any social media points until launch day. Social media points will start on February 25, 2022. It is not recommended that you post early as you may see your biggest scores early, however, posting after February 25, 2022 is acceptable.  Promote.  Promote. Promote.  Be sure to include the two hashtags (noted on submitted application).  Promote your video to your friends, family, classmates!  Get your message out and rack up the social media points.

Must submit the following:

·         If your submission wins, please submit be prepared to provide your video in the following format is MP4, MOV, or WMV. Video will need to be submitted to hromig@safenebraska.org.

·         Actor/Actress Release – for each participant in the film, including any person whose voice, image, or likeness is used. If under 18, participants must have parent/guardian permission and signature on the release.

·         Location Release – Must have written permission to film on someone property.

Awards

A total of 5 videos will be chosen as winning videos. A video will be chosen from each category of school size (class A, B, C, D) plus 1 Spanish speaking video. If chosen, the winning school or school sponsored organization will receive a $2,000 prize. Winning videos will also run on various media throughout Nebraska.

All awards will be announced to the community in a press release and promoted via social media. All submitted films will have links placed on the National Safety Council – Nebraska Chapter’s websites and will be shared with community partners, as well as on NSCN’s social media outlets.