Miami Fire Department, National Safety Council, Emergency Responder Safety Institute and Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association kick off Distracted Driving Awareness Month by unveiling new findings about how distraction impacts first responders
WHAT: Press event to kick off Distracted Driving Awareness Month and unveil results of a new public opinion poll showing how drivers behave around emergency vehicles, and how many misunderstand the laws designed to protect emergency responders
WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 3
WHERE: City of Miami Fire-Rescue, Fire Station #12, 1455 NW 46th St., Miami 33142
WHO: Miami Fire Chief Joseph Zahralban; Jack Sullivan, training director, Emergency Responder Safety Institute; Kathy Lane, senior director of Public Relations, National Safety Council; Warnell Vickers, Government and Public Sector Division, National Safety Council
WHY: An estimated 40,000 people die each year on our roadways in preventable crashes, and distraction is a leading cause. While distracted driving is a persistent threat to all roadway users, it is a particular danger to first responders. Since January, 15 emergency responders have been killed – a tragic reminder of how vulnerable law enforcement, fire and EMS professionals are while they respond to emergencies.
Unfortunately, too few drivers share the roads safely with these vehicles. NSC and the Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI) conducted a public opinion poll to gauge how drivers feel about emergency vehicles, what they are willing to do when sharing the roads with these vehicles, and their understanding of emergency vehicle laws. Shockingly, the vast majority of drivers report being more distracted around emergency vehicles than under normal driving conditions, among other startling behaviors.
Together with the Miami Fire Department, NSC and ERSI will present the findings of this survey and kick off Distracted Driving Awareness Month at this unique press event.
About the National Safety Council
The National Safety Council (nsc.org) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate preventable deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact.
About the Emergency Responder Safety Institute
The Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI), a Committee of the 118-year-old Cumberland Valley Volunteer Fireman’s Association, is an advisory group of public safety leaders and transportation experts committed to reducing deaths and injuries to America's emergency responders while working on the roadways helping others. The ERSI mission includes responder training as well as public education.
