PA Kicks Off Statewide EndDD Effort at Church Farm School

While Joel Feldman and other volunteers have given dozens of  EndDD.org distracted driving presentations at PA high schools over  the past year, the Pennsylvania Association of Justice (PAJ) declared their decision to come on board at Joel’s presentation on Feb. 15, 2013 at The Church Farm School in Exton.

Scott Cooper, President of the Pennsylvania Association of Justice, speaking to students
Scott Cooper, President of the Pennsylvania Association of Justice, speaking to students

With approximately 11,000 daily accidents due to distracted driving – and an untold number of “near misses” as drivers narrowly evade calamity – the Pennsylvania Association for Justice (PAJ) is partnering with the Casey Feldman Foundation/EndDD.org  to educate high schoolers about how they can make better decisions while driving. The “End Distracted Driving” program, part of a national effort begun just over a year ago, uses video, written materials and participation exercises as it shows the difference even the smallest distractions can have on driving ability. The PAJ effort began  on February 15th at the Church Farm School in Exton. PAJ president Scott Cooper and Joel Feldman, a creator of the program presented.

 

Joel Feldman admitting to students that he drove distracted
Joel Feldman holding a picture of his daughter, Casey as he admits that he drove distracted

“We have seen too many accidents caused by another’s distracted driving. These injuries are devastating to the person, to their families and to the people who were driving distracted,” said Scott Cooper, the president of the PAJ. “Anything we can do to help reduce the number of these accidents we should. This program is the single best way I’ve seen to make it clear just how important it is to remain focused while driving.”

The national “End Distracted Driving” campaign began a year ago and has reached nearly 50,000 students with its pro-safety message. Among the materials presented on Friday was the new EndDD.org  video,”Just a Few Seconds” The “End Distracted Driving” presentation has been described by The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as “unique in that it is scientifically guided, evidence-based, has webinar-based training components, i.e. ‘train the trainer’, and includes and evaluation process.”

A student listens intently as he wears 2 EndDD wristbands
A student listens intently as he wears two EndDD wristbands

The founder of the “End Distracted Driving” effort is Joel Feldman, a partner at the Philadelphia law firm of Anapol Schwartz. Attorney Feldman, who with his wife, Dianne Anderson, founded the non-profit  Casey Feldman Foundation and EndDD.org after losing their daughter Casey to a distracted driver in 2009.

“I began this program because of how important it is for every driver, but young drivers in particular, to understand that ‘distracted driving’ means more than just texting or talking on the phone and that any distraction, no matter how quick, dramatically impacts a driver’s abilities,” said Mr. Feldman today. “I have been amazed by how many  caring people have agreed to volunteer their time to educating teens, here in Pennsylvania and across the country. Our newest PSA , “Just a few seconds” shows that each of us is only a few seconds away from being a distracted driver who kills or a family member who mourns the loss of a loved one.”

At least 45 Pennsylvania attorneys have already committed to doing an “End Distracted Driving” presentation.

View all of the photos here.

Make a tax deductible donation today so that we may continue our efforts in traffic safety. Your donation will help us to fund our teen traffic study, stay current in our presentation, develop more PSA’s and spread our lifesaving program to teens throughout the country.

 

Students at presentation
Students at the Church Farm School presentation

Related Links:

Photos

Just a Few Seconds” video

Casey Feldman Foundation

The School at Church Farm

Pennsylvania Association of Justice (PAJ)