Delaware County Council, PA was joined by the parents of a young lady killed in a distracted driving accident as they spoke to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.
Shown above are, front from left, Dianne Anderson, Councilman Dave White and Joel Feldman, and back row, Council members John McBlain, Mario Civera Jr., Chairman Tom McGarrigle and Colleen Morrone.Joel Feldman and Dianne Anderson, the parents of Casey Feldman, held a large photo of their daughter while they spoke at the April 11 County Council meeting about their campaign to educate students and, in turn, their families about promoting safety on the highway.
Casey Feldman, of Springfield, was a 21-year-old Fordham University senior when she was struck and killed by a distracted driver in 2009 in Ocean City, New Jersey, when walking to her summer job. In the aftermath of that devastating tragedy, Casey’s family and friends launched a campaign through the Casey Feldman Memorial Foundation to raise awareness of distracted driving and of the injury and grief it can cause.
“If we can prevent this from happening to another person, then we have accomplished something in the name of Casey,” Feldman said. “Distracted driving can be drinking a cup of coffee or reaching for a drink, fiddling with the radio or putting on makeup. It’s anything that takes your mind off the road and your hands off the wheel.”
Feldman is in the forefront of a North American campaign to raise awareness among adults and students of the dangers of distracted driving. He addresses high school students and is among more than 800 speakers who will address more than 25,000 students in April and May.
Feldman said he always asks the students if their parents drive distracted and he said the students confirm that it’s adults as well as teens who need to stop all distractions while driving.
Feldman created a three-minute public service announcement for the U.S. Department of Transportation about distracted driving to be used in schools and driver education classes across the country. The video is currently airing on the county website at www.co.delaware.pa.us.
An attorney, Feldman launched the website EndDD.org to “preserve life and promote safety.” Delaware County schools interested in having him speak to their students can contact him through the website.
“While we are saddened by the circumstances that bring you here, we are really grateful that you came to today’s Council meeting to speak about this important topic,” said County Councilman Dave White, who presented a resolution to Feldman and Anderson declaring April to be Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
“County Council supports the efforts of the Casey Feldman Memorial Foundation,” White said.
He said the distracted driving campaign fits with the County’s ongoing efforts to caution drivers that Pennsylvania law now bans texting while driving.
Delaware County Council partners with Joel Feldman and Dianne Anderson, parents of Casey Feldman, a 21-year-old Fordham University senior struck and killed by a distracted driver in 2009, to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, and the injury and grief it can cause. Shown are, front from left, Dianne Anderson, Councilman Dave White and Joel Feldman, and back row, Council members John McBlain, Mario Civera Jr., Chairman Tom McGarrigle and Colleen Morrone.
County Council joins parents of Casey Feldman to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving
Delaware County Council partners with Joel Feldman and Dianne Anderson, parents of Casey Feldman, a 21-year-old Fordham University senior struck and killed by a distracted driver in 2009, to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, and the injury and grief it can cause.
