1. Decide to Drive: Arrive Alive! Level One Trauma Center

4. NJ 2010 = 556 Fatalities Middlesex County = 37 NJ 2011(YTD) = 541 Middlesex County = 46

5. 85% of crashes are caused by driver behavior… THEY ARE PREVENTABLE!!!

6. Dynamics of a Crash

7. HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR SEAT BELT???

8. 20 percent of injury crashes in 2009 involved reports of distracted driving. (NHTSA) Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. ( Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) Using a cell phone use while driving, whether it’s hand-held or hands-free, delays a driver's reactions as much as having a BAC at the legal limit of.08 percent. (University of Utah) FATAL CRASHES CAUSED BY DRIVER DISTRACTION

10. Visual Taking your eyes off the road Manual Taking your hands off the wheel Cognitive Taking your mind off what you’re doing

11. FUNNY, BUT OH SO TRUE!!

12. Driver inattention is responsible for about 80% of all collisions.

16. 2008-2009 3,610 hand-held crashes resulting in 1,548 injuries & 13 fatalities 3,129 hands-free crashes resulting in 1,495 injuries & 6 fatalities

22. The New Jersey Legislature is considering related bills (S1950 and A2816), which would establish the violation of hands-free cell phone law as reckless under vehicular homicide statute and assault by auto statutes. PLEASE SUPPORT HELEN’S LAW New Legislation.....

23. CONSEQUENCES??? COULD THIS B U??

25. HANG UP! JUST DRIVE!

26. Always Remember… Driving is a privilege not a right. You are responsible for the passengers in your vehicle. Respect & understand that driving is inherently dangerous. You only have control over the vehicle you are driving – be alert and aware of your surroundings all of the time!

27. Tips to Make Your Ride Safer Turn the music down! Make/take your calls later! Leave eating and drinking for the kitchen! Set/adjust GPS before you drive! Put a “traveling’ message on your voicemail and turn your phone OFF!

28. SO…. What Will YOU Do NOW ????????

29. Presented by: Diana Starace, Coordinator Injury Prevention Program Level One Trauma Center Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital 732.418.8026 diana.starace@rwjuh.edu Presentation developed by the ATS Injury Prevention Committee National Trauma Awareness Month 2012