Office of Public Affairs
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
www.dot.gov/briefing-room.html
DOT 154-11
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Contact: Justine Adelizzi
Tel: (202) 366-4570
U.S. Department of Transportation Releases
New "Faces of Distracted Driving" Video
Liz Catherman of Meridian, Idaho, Remembers
Her 18-Year-Old Daughter, Kassy
WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today released the latest video in the U.S. Department of Transportation's "Faces of Distracted Driving" series, featuring the story of Kassy Kerfoot, from Meridian, Idaho.
WATCH: "Kassy Kerfoot, 18" - http://www.distraction.gov/content/faces/index.html#/faces/kassy-kerfoot/
On December 29, 2009, 18-year-old Kassy Kerfoot was driving on a busy five-lane highway during rush hour traffic when she lost control of her car and hit two oncoming vehicles. She suffered serious brain injuries and died five hours later. She was texting with a friend at the time of the crash.
"Kassy Kerfoot was a bright and talented young woman whose life ended because of a single text message," said Secretary LaHood. "I hope that everyone who hears her story will remember to keep their eyes on the road, their hands on the wheel, and their focus on driving."
"Kassy and I talked about distracted driving so many times, but she always thought she was good enough and fast enough at texting. She never thought something like this could happen to her," said her mother, Liz Catherman. "This is real. It can happen to you whether you're a teen or an adult. I never want another family to go through what my family has been through."
"Faces of Distracted Driving" is a video series that raises awareness about the potentially tragic consequences of texting and cell phone use while driving by sharing the stories of family members who have lost loved ones in distracted driving crashes. In 2009, nearly 5,500 people died and half a million were injured in accidents involving a distracted driver. The series is part of Secretary LaHood's effort to raise greater awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.
WATCH: "Faces of Distracted Driving" - www.distraction.gov/content/faces
The U.S. Department of Transportation encourages anyone who would like to share their distracted driving experiences to email: faces@distraction.gov.
To learn more about USDOT's efforts to stop distracted driving, please visit www.distraction.gov.