Driving School Association Supports "Decide to Drive" Campaign

Orthopaedic surgeons, driving instructors, and automakers determined to help drivers keep eyes on the road and hands on the wheel

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The award-winning, multi-media, interactive "Decide to Drive" program has now picked up support from the Driving School Association of the Americas (DSAA), which passed a resolution of support of the campaign at its annual meeting in San Francisco.  The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the Auto Alliance initiated the national "Decide to Drive" program to highlight the risks of distracted driving and educate drivers on how to maintain focus on the road.

"Teaching new drivers how important it is to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel is one of the most important things we do in our line of work," said DSAA President Sharon Fife.  "While no driver should ever allow him or herself to become distracted while behind the wheel, we find this message especially important for novice drivers."

"Orthopaedic surgeons see the traumatic and oftentimes, life-long injuries sustained in car crashes caused by a driver who was distracted. Our 36,000 member surgeons would rather prevent these injuries – and the lifetime of regret they can cause – than treat them," said AAOS CEO Karen Hackett, FACHE, CAE. "That's why the Academy started this national conversation through our PSA campaign. And, we are very grateful to the DSAA for bringing this conversation into the classroom with new drivers."

The DSAA resolution declares support of the campaign and urges its member driving schools, their instructors and their students to practice sensible driving habits and adopt safe driving strategies that will reduce the instances of distracted driving. Furthermore, the resolution states that "the adoption of sensible driving techniques using in-vehicle technologies," can enhance safety, as well as allow motorists to drive "smarter, safer and greener."

"In this day and age, drivers always expect to have access to technology and stay connected," said Auto Alliance President and CEO Mitch Bainwol.  "So technology is an important part of how we can help drivers manage that.  In-vehicle systems that are integrated, and designed for the driving experience allow drivers to do the things that we know they're going to do, but in a way that still allows them to keep eyes on the road and hands on the wheel."

"But even with the safeguards we offer, it's important that people 'decide to drive' every time they get behind the wheel," added Bainwol.  "That's where this campaign comes in – to reinforce that important message."

The high-profile campaign recently was awarded a Silver CLIO at the 2011 CLIO Healthcare Awards, which recognizes effective and creative public relations and advertising efforts. 

"As we move forward with this campaign, we will continue to engage drivers of all ages through social media as well as a new national PSA, which the AAOS and Auto Alliance expect to launch in February. And, moving forward we hope to reach more children as well, so we can stop these bad habits before they start," said Hackett.

The "Decide to Drive" partnership began with graphic materials placed in thousands of AAOS members' office waiting rooms nationwide.  Soon, the campaign grew to a larger advertising effort that reached airports, shopping malls and bus shelters across the country; followed by a press conference at the Washington's National Press Club, and a website (www.decidetodrive.org) allowing users to report incidents of all forms of distracted driving.

In the fall of 2011, the program created a campaign curriculum to distribute to more than 10,000 schools nationwide.  The materials were designed to raise awareness among fifth and sixth graders of the dangers of distracted driving while they still are forming their impressions of driving and are willing to talk with their parents, and others, about driver distractions.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a trade association of 12 car and light truck manufacturers including BMW Group, Chrysler LLC, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz USA, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen Group of America and Volvo. For more information, visit the Alliance Web site at www.autoalliance.org.

With more than 36,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, (www.aaos.org or www.orthoinfo.org) is the premier not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals, champions the interests of patients and advances the highest quality of musculoskeletal health. Orthopaedic surgeons and the Academy are the authoritative sources of information for patients and the general public on musculoskeletal conditions, treatments and related issues. www.aaos.org.

About the DSAA DSAA is an international association of driving school owners, offering regional seminars, corporate and organizational safe-driving trainings and a magazine that reaches more than 50,000 driving educators each year.

SOURCE American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons