A General Motors executive whose son died in a distracted driving accident embraced the goal of changing the laws so that others won’t experience what he had to go through.
The accident happened in 2016. According to reports, the 18-year-old was driving west on I-96. Following behind him was another college student, a 21-year-old woman. When the traffic slowed down, the young man also slowed down, but the woman following behind didn’t. She was reported distracted and going at 82 mph. She crashed into the back of the young man’s car.
According to the reports at the time, the young man lost his life immediately on impact.
The young man’s father, a General Motors executive, then used this horrific experience to create The Kiefer Foundation in order to both honor his son’s memory and help end distracted driving.
Saying that he wants his son’s memory to help change things for the better, the executive told reporters that his son “always wanted to change the world.”
Some of the foundation’s main initiatives is to work on erecting more cable guard rails along the same road where the teen died. The foundation also uses the help of NHL hockey players to raise awareness to the distracted driving epidemic. It also helps in more proactive way by offering scholarships to young students who come up with solutions to the issue.
Distracted Driving Epidemic Is Killing Thousands Of Americans
Every year, 40,000 people die in traffic accidents. At least 10 percent of these deaths happen because of distracted driving. When you consider that that adds up to 10 people a day dying because of a distracted driver, you start putting things into perspective.
It’s great to see more foundations and private groups fighting to end distracted driving. But the only way of actually bringing an end to the epidemic is for drivers to vow to never give in to distraction again.
Whether you’re a veteran or new to the road, distraction is your worst enemy. Focusing on the road will help you to avoid crashes by keeping you on your feet and ahead of the game. If something happens ahead and you’re paying attention, you have time to react accordingly to avoid a crash.
