The City of Medford has been selected by the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys (MATA) as a lead community in the campaign to "End Distracted Driving." The campaign kicked off at the State House on Monday, followed by an event at Medford High School on Tuesday.
Tuesday's event featured MATA President Timothy C. Kelleher III and Philadelphia Attorney Joel Feldman, who created the “End Distracted Driving” program after losing his 21 year-old daughter Casey in 2009 due to the actions of a distracted driver.
Since that time, Attorney Feldman has gone across the country and spoken to thousands of students about the tragic results of distracted driving. Medford High School students watched a national PSA, "Just a Few Seconds," which chronicles the tragic death of a Massachusetts man due to a distracted driver and interviews both the teenage driver responsible for the accident and Emily Stein, the daughter of the man who was killed.
“I have made this volunteer program a priority this year as President of MATA, and we will continue it as a prominent part of MATA’s public service projects for our members statewide for many years going forward," said Kelleher. "As a trial lawyer, I believe in safety on every level and this is such an important program because we are educating those most at risk – young and inexperienced drivers. The national 'End Distracted Driving' project is a perfect fit for MATA, as we work every day at keeping families safe as members of the trial bar. We are launching our first 'End Distracted Driving' program at Medford High School."
More Information:
Joel Feldman and his wife Dianne Anderson with a picture of their daughter, Casey.
Emily Stein with a photo of her father and herself.
MATA President Tim Kelleher.
Student Lucas Campos and School Superintendent Roy Belson acted out a skit in which Supt. Belson was driving while being distracted by his cell phone.
Distracted driving behaviors include putting on make-up, shaving, and even making waffles (center photo).
Doing other things while attempting to drive at the same time is as dangerous as driving drunk.
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