• May 14
    Family Goes Strong: "Texting and Driving: Teenagers aren't the only ones doing it. Are you guilty?"

    Irene Zutell of the blog "Family Goes Strong" posted the following first-hand account of a recent collision with a distracted driver. This story is true for so many drivers on the road today; Sadly, some aren't as fortunate as Zutell's family, who didn't sustain any major injuries.


    "The other day my husband, daughters and I drove to lunch in Santa Monica, about a twenty-mile ride from our home in the San Fernando Valley. As we exited the freeway, my husband remarked on how we'd made record time—in Los Angeles, a twenty mile ride can take upwards of one hour. This time, it took twenty minutes. But just as he finished speaking, a car barreled into us.

    Thankfully, no one was injured, although the rear of our car sustained about $2,000 worth of damage.

    When my husband returned to our car after exchanging information with the driver, he said, "that guy was texting."

    Of course he was. Our car had just exited the freeway and we were yielding to traffic as we prepared to merge onto Wilshire Boulevard. The car that barreled into us hadn't even attempted to brake. He didn't even know we were in front of him. There was no screeching of tires. No skid marks. No last minute swerving to avoid us. What else could have distracted him this much other than having his head buried in a cell phone.

    As few days ago, a study by the Cohen Children's Medical Center found that texting and driving was responsible for more than 3,000 fatalities among teenagers last year—whereas drinking and driving claimed the lives of 2,700 teens.

    But the guy who slammed into my car—the car that carried the most precious cargo, my two daughters—was no teenager. He was in his mid thirties.

    Teenagers text and drive and because of it, they're dying, the study showed. But the truth is, the people I see texting and driving are not teenagers. They're adults who are supposed to know better.  They're the same adults who tell their children not to text and drive. I see them at lights. I see them stopped in the middle of the street oblivious, as traffic piles up behind them. I see them weaving in traffic. And I hear them slamming into the back of my car.

    In my opinion, texters are much more dangerous than drunks behind the wheel. At least the person under the influence is struggling to focus on the road. But the texter isn't even looking. The texter doesn't even know where he is.

    In 2008, a study performed by the Transport Research Laboratory in the United Kingdom found that texting drivers presented a greater danger than individuals driving under the influence of alcohol. The study cited that a drunk driver's reaction time is slowed by 21 percent while a texting driver's reaction time is slowed by 35 percent.

    Yet, in California, if a person is arrested for DUI, his license is immediately suspended by the DMV. If the person is found guilty, he or she will face an additional six month license suspension, as well as a fine of $1,000 to $1,600 and a jail sentence ranging from 96 hours to six months.

    And if that person is texting? He receives a base fine of $20 for the first offense. $50 for subsequent convictions. Sure, there are additional penalty assessments than can triple the base fine amount. Still, these fines are not much of a deterrent to the chronic texter.

    What will it take? Car accidents? Fatalities?

    Clearly the laws need to be changed.

    In the meantime, when adults tell their kids not to text, they must practice what they preach."

  • May 10
    Number One Killer of Teens? Texting While Driving

    It’s official: Texting while driving kills more teens than drunk driving.

    Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park just released a study that shows that the number of teens killed in collisions resulting from texting and driving is greater than the number of teen fatalities in drinking and driving incidents. An estimated 2,700 teens are killed in alcohol-related incidents on U.S. roads, while a whopping 3,000 are killed as a result of texting and driving.

    One statistic, which has been circulating for the last couple of years, asserts that texting and driving is “as dangerous” as drinking and driving, based on observations made by researchers and experts who compare reaction time and brain activity of texters and drinkers behind the wheel.

    The Cohen study is on point in that it highlights two of the most common and irresponsible activities one could perform while operating a motor vehicle, and unique in that it is the first to use quantifiable results (fatalities) to compare them.

     The twist in this simple comparison between the results of these two comparably deadly variables: society condemns one and condones the other.

    Dr. Andrew Adesman, one researcher who helped to conduct the new study, succinctly describes the current state of affairs on our roads today: “We have very strong taboos against drinking and driving. Kids don't drink and drive every day. But some kids are out there texting and driving seven days a week -- and they admit it."

    What Adesman is getting at is that in recent years, society has stigmatized drunk drivers, yet seems to excuse distracted driving behaviors like texting that have proven to be more deadly. If you saw someone driving down the road swilling liquor, you would call the police before they hit someone, wouldn’t you?  Yet anyone who gets behind the wheel of a car undoubtedly sees other drivers texting on a daily basis, yet this reckless behavior persists. Why?

    Why would we allow other drivers to endanger our lives over a meaningless text? When you text behind the wheel, you are sending more than one message. Yes, in addition to your shorthand banter with a friend, you are communicating the following to everyone around you: “The conversation I am having on my cell phone is more important to me than my life, my passengers’ lives, and yours.”

    Pretty rude, right?

    It is, but texting and driving isn’t just rude. And it’s not just stupid. It is an absolutely reckless behavior that needs to stop, before more lives are lost.

    Evidently, laws, campaigns, and pledges aren’t enough to stop it. There is no doubt these measures do help, but without something in place to keep drivers from texting, they will continue to do it, regardless of its illegality or their knowledge of the risks involved.

    This is why we at ORIGO™ created the ORIGOSafe™, a simple, yet comprehensive solution that removes the phone from a driver’s hands completely, while allowing the hands-free communication that is a necessity for many drivers.

    Learn about our solution today, and find out how easy it is to install ORIGOSafe™ in all of your family’s vehicles to initiate the change that will save lives.

     

  • May 09
    How to (and How NOT to) Talk to Your Teen About Texting and Driving

    You’ve probably seen one of the many articles floating around urging you to talk to your teen about texting and driving. Like any conversation with your teenager, this may be easier said than done…

    Here’s how to get the point across (without sounding preachy or lecture-y) and hopefully make a difference!

    1. What NOT to do:

    Bring it up in the middle of a lecture about something else. It’s easy to get started on one topic (“you are absolutely NOT driving to the beach with your friends for Spring break! You just got your license!!”) and then carry into the next one (“And by the way, I saw you texting yesterday when you were leaving our neighborhood!!!”) Teens are defensive. They want freedom. If they feel they are being lectured, they will tune you out. This topic is way too important to waste your breath on.

    1. What to do:

    Bring it up when you’re both in a good mood, spending time together (this may be rare, so make it count!) Tell your teen about a close call YOU have had because of distracted driving. Quote a stat “you know, I saw that texting and driving makes you 3 times more likely to crash! It’s hard to believe anyone would do it after hearing how dangerous it really is!” This is the point where you say, “Let’s both promise not to text and drive ever again”

    As you know, teenagers are very smart (sometimes too smart for their own good!). But oftentimes they don’t think about the consequences of their actions. Remind them that when “someone” texts while driving, they endanger their friends, family, and everyone else they share the road with, in addition to themselves. Maybe it’s obvious, but a friendly reminder can go a long way.

    Parents, let your teens know that you’re on their side- that you will do anything you can to be safer as a family. Say it and mean it. Don’t undo your conversation by setting a bad example and sneaking a text behind the wheel. It’s not worth it!

    Addendum: Install ORIGOSafe™ in your family’s vehicles to establish safe driving behaviors that will last. While family discussions are a great first step, removing the phone from the driver’s hands is the ultimate goal, and the ORIGOSafe™ does just that. 

    Eliminate distracted driving from our roads. Learn more about ORIGOSafe™ today!

  • May 06
    Despite Laws and Campaigns, 4 Out of 10 Teens Still Texting and Driving

    A new study shows that 43% of high school students text while driving.

    Over the past few years, the public’s awareness of the dangers of texting and driving has significantly increased. Campaigns have cropped up across the country, driving home the message that this risky activity can increase the risk of crashing by 23 times, and is 7 times more dangerous than drunk driving Over 40 states now have laws prohibiting texting and driving.

    Yes, awareness has spread, but 4 out of every 10 teens texting proves awareness is not enough.

     “Researchers analyzed data from about 7,800 U.S. high school students who had their driver's license and took part in the 2011 survey on youth behaviors conducted yearly by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The teens were asked if they had texted while driving in the past 30 days, and 43 percent said they had.

    Males were more likely to text while driving than females -- 46 percent versus 40 percent, respectively. The likelihood of texting while driving increased with age: 52 percent of those over age 18, 46 percent of 17-year-olds, 33 percent of 16-year-olds and 26 percent of 15-year-olds.” - US News.com

    Those who conducted this study found that indeed, laws banning texting while driving had little effect. 39%  percent of teens in states where texting and driving is illegal admitted to doing it anyway… only 5% less than states where it isn’t illegal. Sure, 5% fewer teens are texting as a result of these laws, and that is undoubtedly saving some lives, but are we satisfied with that?

    The reality is that these laws are another great way to build awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, but little more. Drivers need a solution that changes driving habits for good, and the only way to do that is to completely remove the cell phone from a driver’s hands.

    ORIGOSafe™ does just that.

  • May 06
    ORIGO in the News! ORIGOSafe Texting and Driving Solution

    Last week, ORIGO™ met up with WUSA News 9 and Lindsay, a local teen driver in Washington DC to discuss the ORIGOSafe™.

    Here's the story

     

     

  • May 03
    Distracted Drivers Caught on Tape!

    Earlier this week, a Milwaukee news station released a spot-on story on the prevelance and extreme dangers of distracted driving. Not only did they highlight what a serious issue this has become, their crew caught some real-life instances on tape! Interesting to watch...but you don't have to tune in to the local news to see these risky drivers- look no further than the car passing you on your commute to witness the same wreckless behaviors.

    Check out the video and see if any of this looks familiar! Drive safe!

    Caught on camera: Distracted driving kills thousands a year

     

  • May 01
    ORIGO™ demos ORIGOSafe texting and driving solution at the NAFA Expo!

    Last week, the ORIGO™ Team had the pleasure of participating in the NAFA (National Association of Fleet Administrators) expo in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Over 1,500 exhibitors were in attendance, featuring products and solutions for every facet of the industry.

    Though you might think the highlight of the expo for most attendees would be drooling over brand new Mercedes and BMW company vehicles (we're expecting ours any day now!), the buzz at the event was undeniably about solving distracted driving. We had a lot of foot traffic by our booth, and valuable opportunities to demonstrate our solution to seasoned fleet owners who fully understand the scope of the risks involved in handheld phone use while driving and are seeking a final solution they can rely on for their drivers.

    Riding an elevator on the final day of the expo, we even overheard a couple of professionals comment on what a focus the event had on seeking a solution to distracted driving. We're surely glad to hear that the awareness of the problem is catching on, and we're proud to offer a comprehensive solution!

     

     

  • Apr 22
    ORIGO™ demos ORIGOSafe texting and driving solution at the JOCO Teen Driving Summit!

    This weekend, ORIGO™ attended JOCO, the Johnston County, NC Teen Drivers Summit. Many area schools, organizations, and law enforcement groups set up booths and discussed their causes, ranging from encouraging focused driving to discouraging underage drinking and driving before the prom! The main goal of many of the teen groups was raising awareness about the dangers of texting and driving -- evidence that they have recognized what a risk it is to their peers and those with whom they share the road.

    We felt right at home amongst these like-minded teens, and there was a lot of excitement from them and their parents about the ORIGOSafe™. We were so impressed with the speakers at the summit, some of whom had lost friends and family to texting and driving. The level of maturity and responsibility these young people possessed, and their passion for the cause was truly moving, and we were honored to be a part of it!

    Keep up the good work, JOCO teens! You are surely saving lives!

     

     

     

     

  • Apr 11
    Employers: The risks of distracted driving are real...for drivers and your company!

    We are now a third of the way through April, officially deemed Distracted Driving Awareness Month! In the last 10 days, there have been a number of powerful stories floating around the blogosphere and news sites highlighting the dangers involved in texting and driving, for drivers and passengers young and old, and all those with whom they share the road. Needless to say, the primary focus of this national awareness movement is to save lives, as it should be ( and the goal here at ORIGO™, of course, is to be a key part of that!). However, a secondary element (which doesn't get as much press) of the distracted driving epidemic we are combating is the liability employers incur in the event that an employee injurs or kills a pedestrian or motorist while engaged in handheld cellphone use behind the wheel.

    When these events happen, they often cause a great deal of damage (to vehicles, but more importantly, to people), and damage is expensive to repair. Billions of dollars are spent each year to rectify these tragic situations, and employers of texting employees often foot the bill. Last year, Coca-Cola awarded $21 million to a plaintiff who had been hit by one of their drivers. Even for a powerhouse company like Coca Cola, this is no chump change. Divide that settlement by 20, and that number is still large enough to completely decimate most businesses. Not to be a doomsayer, but employers: this CAN happen to you.

    There were approximately 18 million commercial fleet vehicles here in the U.S. 5 years ago, yet only 15% had any kind of distracted driving policy in place. Surely, with the rise of tablets and robust applications for smart phones since 2008, more employers have reacted by putting policies into place, but even if 100% of companies had a policy on paper, it wouldn't be enough. Hey, Coca-Cola had a policy...but it was quickly deemed "too vague," and the rest was history. This calls for a comprehensive approach that eliminates texting and other handheld use from the cab once and for all.

    We at ORIGO™ are confident that we can offer just that, by removing the phone from a driver's hands completely, with verifiable compliance for employers. We're eager to equip companies and individuals alike with the ORIGOSafe™, and looking forward to safer roads for everyone as a result. Drive Safe!

  • Apr 01
    April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month--Protect your precious cargo today!

    She backed out of the driveway more confidently than she should have, given that she was a newly minted driver.  Her mother's words: "Drive safely, because you are precious cargo!" warming her heart.  There were no cell phones in 1982, but there were also no cup holders…so balancing that Big Gulp that she would eagerly buy on her first trip out, would be a distraction in itself.   

    Years later, when her own teen drivers pulled out of the driveway, the same words left her lips.  "Drive safely, because you are precious cargo”….and then she added some 21st century advice...”and don't text and drive!"  Terror and a gnawing worry ensued until the car, and the precious cargo, pulled back into the driveway.  She could warn them, they could promise, but she couldn't ensure the phone wouldn't be a distraction behind the wheel.

    Why hadn’t she set a better example herself?  She and her husband used to often text while they drove, even when the backseat occupants fussed, “Mom, you tell us not to text and drive, why are you doing it?”  Why did she? She knew it was dangerous, reckless, and thoughtless.  Was any little message worth risking a life?  Absolutely not. And now she feared that her bad habit had been passed on to her children.

    The fear of sending a new driver out among the masses is palpable…and the truth is that everyone is someone's precious cargo.  That person who cut you off earlier today is a son/daughter/mother/father.  Even that jerk that earned your finger is someone's beloved.  You and they cannot afford to be distracted.

    Something has to change...something has to take away that temptation to reach for the phone while in motion.  This mom is going to install ORIGOSafe™ phone docks in all the family vehicles.  Now the habit will have to be broken and the precious cargo will drive ORIGOSafe™.  She only wished that she could be certain that all the other drivers on the road were not driving distracted. 

    Take the necessary steps today to make the roads safer for everyone’s precious cargo. Drive safe…drive ORIGOSafe™.

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