WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Tom Udall today encouraged New Mexicans to do their part to improve road safety by pledging to not talk or text on hand held cell phone devices while driving. Udall signed Oprah's online "No Phone Zone" pledge stating that he would not text while driving and will use a hands free device if he needs to make a call.
Click here to join Udall in taking the pledge to stop distracted driving.
"We can all take commonsense measures, like not talking and texting while driving, to improve safety conditions on our roads," said Udall, a member of the Commerce Science and Transportation committee. "I encourage everyone to step up and do their part."
Yesterday, a resolution declaring April 2010 as "Distracted Driving Awareness Month" passed the Senate with Udall's support.
In New Mexico and across the nation, Friday, April 30, 2010 has been deemed "No Phone Zone Day" to raise awareness to the problems and dangers of distracted driving. In 2008, nearly 6,000 people were killed due to distracted driving, accounting for nearly 16 percent of all traffic fatalities. Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Cruces have already passed city ordinances against using a cell phone to talk or text while driving.
