NASCAR Driver Promotes Anti-texting Campaign

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has launched a campaign to stop texting while driving. The campaign has teamed up with Roush Fenway Racing, one of NASCAR's top racing teams, whose cars will display the campaign's logo.

"Distracted drivers cause many of the traffic injuries and deaths we deal with on our roads today, and cell phone usage - particularly texting while driving - is especially dangerous and unsafe. These tragic consequences are easily preventable if drivers would simply put down their phones and focus on the road," said Col. Ron Replogle, Missouri State Highway Patrol.

"We're joining forces with Con-way Freight and Roush Fenway Racing to spread the antitexting message to all Missouri's motorists and NASCAR fans, encouraging them to say no to texting and pay attention to the full-time job of driving whenever they're behind the wheel."

Con-way Freight, a main sponsor of Roush Fenway Racing and a trucking industry leader, has been one of the frontrunners in the efforts to improve highway safety and reduce distracted driving. They have had a texting ban in place for its 15,000 professional truck drivers for nearly two years.

"There are three major types of distractions - visual, manual and cognitive - and texting involves all three, which makes it the most dangerous of all," said Bob Petrancosta, vice president of safety, Con-way Freight. "We're committed to doing everything we can to help make America's highways safer, and we hope this campaign with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Roush Fenway Racing will raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, and, potentially, save lives."

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July 22, 2010

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