28% of crashes attributed to cell phone talking, texting while driving

American Academy of Orthopaedic SurgeonsMay 10 2010

More than 520,000 Injured in Texting-Related Accidents

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has joined forces with the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) on a public service announcement (PSA) urging drivers to NEVER text while driving. Simply put, texting is a deadly distraction that can cause accidents, severe orthopaedic injuries or even death. Orthopaedic surgeons not only treat, but want to prevent accidental traumas.

"The problem with the use of 24/7 communications devices is that every driver believes he or she is immune to slip ups, but isn't. Orthopaedic surgeons want to prevent the pain and suffering associated with texting-and-driving accidents. To say this habit can be deadly is the truth; it is an outcome we unfortunately see every day," said AAOS President John J. Callaghan, MD.

The ads -- meant to shock -- read "OMG. Get the Message: Texting while Driving is a Deadly Distraction" in large font over a broken, bloodied windshield. AAOS' national public service advertising campaign was produced as a print PSA and a billboard. The ads are the first step in educating the public on what has become a commonplace and dangerous practice among drivers. Companion Web sites urge safer practices and shares vital statistics -- www.aaos.org/donttext and www.ota.org/donttext.  

"This topic is on the minds of many Americans already – but we wanted to reiterate the traumatic outcomes and the risk involved with memorable images and shocking statistics. The magnitude of a distracted crash can change limbs, lives and futures forever," said OTA President Timothy J. Bray, MD.

The statistics tell a shocking story:

• The National Safety Council (NCS) estimates that nearly 28 percent of crashes – about 1.6 million a year – can be attributed to cell phone talking and texting while driving.
• The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that texting while driving had the highest odds ratio of a serious vehicular crash relative to 16 other activities that draw a driver's attention from the highway—23.2 times higher than nontexting drivers—and that when texting, drivers take their eyes off the road for 4.6 of 6 seconds.

OMG and AAOS/OTA 2010

The 2010 OMG PSA campaign material will be distributed nationally to 1,500 print outlets, including both newspaper and magazines.  In addition, the print public service messages will be featured on almost 500 display ads in airports and on outdoor billboards nationwide.