NTSB -- NTSB CHAIRMAN JOINS OPRAH AND OTHER SAFETY ADVOCATES IN "NO PHONE ZONE DAY" RALLY IN WASHINGTON, DC

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NTSB PRESS RELEASE

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National Transportation Safety Board

Washington, DC 20594

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2010

SB-10-15

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NTSB CHAIRMAN JOINS OPRAH AND OTHER SAFETY ADVOCATES IN "NO

PHONE ZONE DAY" RALLY IN WASHINGTON, DC

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Washington, DC - National Transportation Safety Board

Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman was one of the featured guests

for the first national "No Phone Zone Day," an initiative

sponsored by Oprah Winfrey and Harpo Studios.

"No Phone Zone Day" is a public service campaign that brings

together a coalition of government agencies and

transportation safety organizations asking all Americans to

take a pledge to agree not to use cell phones while driving.

This includes texting and using only hands-free calling.

"Statistics tell us that talking or texting while driving

jeopardizes the safety of everyone on the road," said

Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman. "The good news is that

accidents caused by distractions are preventable if everyone

would just hang up and drive.

"The number of people killed by drivers distracted by the

use of an electronic communications device is equivalent of

a major aviation accident every week. Our country would not

accept that kind of a toll in airliner deaths, why should we

tolerate it when it happens in ones and twos on our

roadways?"

The NTSB has issued recommendations to restrict cell phone

use for train operators, for motor coach and school bus

drivers, for novice automobile drivers and pilots. In fact,

one of the Safety Board's main focuses has been to eliminate

distractions for young drivers. Prohibiting both motor

coach and young drivers from using these devices are items

on the Board's Most Wanted list of Safety Improvements.

Last year, Chairman Hersman directed all NTSB employees not

to use their government issued cell phones while driving, or

their personal cell phones while driving on government

business regardless if hand held or hands free. "I urge

everyone to take the pledge today to never text or use a

cell phone while driving."

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NTSB Media Contact: Keith Holloway

(202) 314-6100

hollowk@xxxxxxxx

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