The Human Cost of Distracted Driving

Distracted drivers took the lives of 5,500 people last year and injured 500,000 more. If you don't worry about distracted driving, watch a couple of these videos. And if you have a distracted driving story to share, upload a video to YouTube and email the link to faces@distraction.gov.

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Faces of Distracted Driving: Casey Feldman, 21

On July 17, 2009, 21-year-old Casey Feldman was struck and killed by a distracted driver as she crossed the street in Ocean City, New Jersey. To honor her memory, Casey's family and friends produced this video for the U.S. Department of Transportation's "Faces of Distracted Driving" series.

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Faces of Distracted Driving: Alex Brown, 17
On November 10, 2009, 17-year-old Alex Brown was killed when she crashed her truck on a rural road while she was on her way to school. She was texting at the time of the crash.
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Faces of Distracted Driving: Cady Reynolds, 16
On May 30, 2007, 16-year-old Cady Reynolds was driving her best friend home from a movie near Omaha, NE when another teen driver--who was texting behind the wheel--ran a red light and slammed into her car at 50MPH. Cady was rushed to the hospital with critical injuries and died the next day.
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Faces of Distracted Driving: Joe Teater, 12
On January 19, 2004, Judy Teater and her 12-year-old son Joe were driving to an after school activity when a young woman behind the wheel of a Hummer and talking on her cell phone ran a red light and slammed into their vehicle. Joe died the next day from his injuries.
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Faces of Distracted Driving: Margay Schee, 13
On September 23, 2008, 13-year-old Margay Schee was riding home from school when a semi-truck slammed into the back of her school bus. She was killed when rescuers were unable to get her out of the burning wreckage.
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Faces of Distracted Driving: Julie Davis, 58
On April 15, 2009, 58-year-old Julie Davis set off for a hike with her best friend in Rudolph, Wisconsin. As they were walking along the highway, a 19-year-old driving at 70MPH struck Julie from behind, killing her instantly.
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Faces of Distracted Driving: Ashley Johnson, 16
On May 10, 2010, 16-year-old Ashley Johnson was killed when she lost control of her vehicle, crossed the center line, and hit a pickup truck head-on. Although her father had warned her against cell phone use behind the wheel, she was texting at the time of the crash.
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Please visit the official blog of Transportationn Secretary Ray LaHood where he regularly writes about the challenges we face with distracted driving. READ MORE
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LEARN MORE AT NHTSA.gov