Orthopedic surgeons sponsor don’t-text-and-drive campaign

ROSEMONT — The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has joined forces with the Orthopaedic Trauma Association on a public service announcement urging drivers to never text while driving.

“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,” said AAOS President Dr. John J. Callaghan. “Orthopedic 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."

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 websites urge safer practices and shares vital statistics — aaos.org/donttext and 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 Dr. Timothy J. Bray.

The National Safety Council 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.