Episode 66: National No Phone Zone Day
Oprah shows a look back at what has happened since January when they started the pledge. More than 2 million people have pledged including a host of celebrities. Across the country distracted driving is making headlines like never before. In 4 months, 4 more states have banned texting bring ing the number to 23 and the District of Columbia.
Oprah knows we can change this issue, she wants to get as many people as possible to stop texting and talking while driving. If you need a reason, look at Jaycee’s story. She is 23 and walks with a cane and has a limp arm. She gets a lot of stares so she added a sign to her back saying that she got her injuries from a kid driving and talking on his cell phone. On her memorable graduation day, her parents were beyond proud. They were driving home and someone turned on a red light while talking on the phone. She was given a 10% chance of survival, but both of her parents were killed that day. The loss of her parents was a loss to the world.
In the studio Oprah asks her how this has impacted her life. It has been huge, she has had to learn to walk again and only has use of one arm and she has no parents. This is her life mission now, to make people realize the power that they hold. Oprah says that the 6000 people were killed last year are in the news but we don’t hear of those who are permanently injured by this. She says that nothing is so important that people can put the lives of everyone around them at risk.
Gayle is in DC with the Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood. Everyone has a cellphone says Ray, and they all think they can drive safely. He tells people to put the cell phone in the glove compartment, the call will still be there when you get to your destination. He says that it is hard for everyone, it is a bad habit which we have to break to save lives and heartache. Gayle says that she has heard so many stories today. Ray says that this show today takes it to a whole new level of awareness. Matt hit his neighbor’s 9 year old boy while texting, fortunately it was ok but it caused him to revaluate his life. Kyle, the son, told him not to tell his parents as he had his iPod on and no helmet on. A teacher in the audience was convicted and brought her students down to this important event. Ray thanks Oprah and Oprah thanks Mr Secretary.
Ed Whitacre of GM tells Oprah that Chevy is proud to support her call, and that is why he is asking his 77,000 employees, plus customers and dealers to sign the pledge. That is so great says Oprah. 77,000 employees is great. Join the movement now at Oprah.com. Or check out this cool easy way to pledge- text NPZ to 30644, but not while you are driving.
Ali in Detroit says that they are making history as they are there with the fantastic Governor of Michigan, who is signing a bill into history which was overwhelmingly passed. She says that they are proud to be the 24th state to ban texting which is clearly a danger. As the home of the auto industry, it is is particularly important. Ali says that nearly 6000 people died last year but thousands of others have been crippled or maimed. Ali says that the cameras will watch the Governor sign the bill. Oprah and the Governor thank each other.
Oprah says that laws start with the people, today everyone can make a change. Bronte, a teenager, lost control of her car while texting, 3 days after her 17th birthday. She broke her pelvis and suffered a traumatic brain injury, She was in a coma for 3 1/2 weeks. She suffers memory loss and gets tongue tied. Her scar is a reminder- your conversation can wait. Bronte tells Oprah she has signed the pledge and she puts her phone to one side when in the car. Before this she never considered that texting in the car was an issue, despite nearly rear-ending someone. The conversation can wait. Bronte was wearing a seatbelt, Oprah reminds us that once upon a time no one wore seatbelts and now we all do.
Oprah checks in with the rally in LA with Lisa Ling at John Marshall High School. Lisa says that the day she signed the pledge, her husband’s colleague’s daughter was killed by texting, so her decision was confirmed as a good one. Lisa is pleased that she is there with two American Idols from her favorite season, including last years winner. Chris has texted a couple of times while driving and his wife has told him to stay on the road so it can get dangerous. Another contestant, Alison is getting her permit soon. Her cousin got into a bad accident because he was reading a text. Oprah says that is exciting, and thanks Lisa.
Rodney was a high school senior who was full of life. He went to pick up a friend and his mom never saw him again. He crashed his car when reaching fro his phone and hit a pole. After a year and a half, it still seems like yesterday- the pain is crushing. Her son had just been accepted to college, but he was no longer alive because of distracted driving. In the studio, Rodney’s mom says that she was guilty of texting on the highway, she did not realize how dangerous it was. She says it was just one of those things that you do without realizing. Diveeta now goes around schools talking to students, trying to educate. Oprah says that because of Diveeta’s son and all the sons and daughters that she started this movement. In many ways, Oprah feels that Rodney’s life was sacrificed in order to be a light to the rest of us. Oprah is hoping and praying that next time people get I the car, they will remember Rodney and put the phone away. Oprah thanks Diveeta.
86% of teens talk on the phone and drive but only 12% think that it is a distracting. 76% say they sometime text and 33% say that they do it often. Half of the texts are to parents.
Alex was an easy kid to raise, she was fun loving and had a huge heart. Her mom teaches at the school her kids attend, and one day Alex didn’t turn up. Her mom went to find her and didn’t recognize the truck. Alex was texting and went out the window and the truck rolled over her. Her mom called 911 and all they could do at the hospital was watch the monitor slow down and down. It’s madness. Oprah says that it really is madness, it is crazy and disconnected and like playing Russian Roulette. Alex’s parents are here today, and Oprah is asking us to stand up for all these families and the senseless accidents that don’t have to happen. In honor of all those people, Oprah introduces the new No Phone Zone commercial. Oprah asks the families featured to stand up. Oprah says that she and the audience are honored to stand with the families as they have all taken the pledge.
Holly in Georgia is there with Lisa who lost her 2 year old son to a distracted driver when they were out for a walk. She is asking everyone to change their habits. She had to live in a coma and couldn’t go to her son’s funeral. Holly thanks Lisa and shows all the No Phone Zone merchandise that you can get. Bumper stickers are powerful. All the profits go to Focus Driven. Oprah believes that Focus Driven are a powerful organization like Mother’s Against Drunk Driving.
Derrick in Boston says that they have an amazing group of young people from Boston University including the group SADD, Students Against Destructive Decisions who educate each other. Derrick had a friend killed in High School by a distracted driver when parked at a stoplight. Erin was driving to pick up her father and almost hit a tree and did $4000 of damage to her car when moving her pocketbook to the back seat. She had been driving for only 45 minutes since registering her car. She didn’t even open her phone, phones off is the best idea. Derrick says that every advance in technology brings its own responsibilities. We can teach each other to make a difference. Oprah loves the analogy that we do not dry our hair in the bathtub as those technologies do not go together. Many of the players of the Boston Red Sox signed the pledge for Oprah, and they ask all their fans to join to them in signing the pledge.
OK, says Oprah. Today is the start of a new day where we all get to come together and stand with the families who have been affected by distracted driving. Late last year Oprah read an article on distracted driving which started this campaign for her, and the author has just won a Pulitzer Prize. Oprah thanks everyone involved today and all the supporters at the rallies. Bye everybody.
WHAT WE LEARNED TODAY:
Texting while driving is like playing Russian Roulette.
Once upon a time we didn’t wear seatbelts, and now it is second nature.
Every advance in technology brings its own responsibilities- we don’t dry our hair in the bath tub.
Do not text and drive.
Phones off is the best policy in the car.
A VERY QUICK SUMMARY:
No conversation or text is worth risking lives. Take the No Phone Zone Pledge at Oprah.com.