Governor challenges New Mexicans to put phones down while driving Published April 29, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Sondra Escutia New Mexico Department of Transportation HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Gov. Bill Richardson has proclaimed April 30, 2010 "No Phone Zone Day" in New Mexico and challenged New Mexico drivers to take the pledge to put down their phones while driving. Although the pledge is only a one-day challenge, the 49th Fighter Wing Safety Office encourages members of Team Holloman to put this pledge into action every day. Scott Dorton, 49th FW Safety Office, said the number one most dangerous thing to do behind the wheel of a car is to text. "My kids tell me all the time 'I can text without looking,' but where is your mind when your texting? It's not on the road, it's on the text," said Mr. Dorton. He said that texting while driving creates an "inattentive blindness" that can be become a contributing factor to mishaps. "When that occurs, you could be looking out the windshield in the right direction but your hand or mind is occupied by the phone or by the texting," he said. The use of cell phones while driving has already been banned in Albuquerque and Las Cruces, N.M., as well as El Paso, Texas, and the use of cell phones while driving on Holloman remains prohibited. According to the 49th Security Forces Squadron Reports and Analysis office, the penalty for using a cell phone while driving on base, whether that means talking or texting, is a five-day driving suspension and the notification of the individual's first sergeant and commander. The second offence is a 30-day driving suspension and the third offence could mean up to a year without driving privileges on base. Nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted driver and more than half a million were injured, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Association data. In New Mexico, there were more than 280 cell phone related crashes in one year, 89 of which included injuries to occupants of the vehicle in 2008. Governor Richardson signed the "No Phone Zone" pledge April 26 -- a campaign initiated by Oprah Winfrey which has been endorsed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Governors Highway Safety Administration. "Drivers distracted by phone calls and texting are making roads dangerous for New Mexico families," Governor Richardson said. "That is why I have sought legislation to make roads safer from distracted drivers and why I am challenging New Mexico drivers to take the pledge to put their phones down while they are driving." Starting April 27, the New Mexico Department of Transportation's electronic message boards on New Mexico's interstates and highways have displayed messages reminding drivers to put their phone down while driving. Governor Richardson's proclamation follows: WHEREAS, Friday, April 30, 2010 has been declared National "No Phone Zone" Day, a day to honor the victims of distracted driving and to educate Americans on the dangers of distracted driving; and Whereas, Oprah Winfrey was the catalyst behind the campaign to make cars around the country "No Phone Zones" and has the support of the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Governors Highway Safety Association, National Organizations of Youth Safety, FocusDriver, SADD and RADD; Whereas, Nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving distracted drivers and more than half a million were injured according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association; and Whereas, in 2008 in New Mexico there were more than 280 cell phone related crashes in one year, 89 of which resulted in injuries to occupants of the vehicle; and Whereas, Governor Richardson will continue to support legislation banning texting and talking on hand-held cell phones in New Mexico while driving; and WHEREAS, Governor Richardson has signed the "No Phone Zone" pledge and is challenging members of his Cabinet and all New Mexicans to do the same; NOW, THEREFORE I, Bill Richardson, Governor of the State of New Mexico, do hereby proclaim Friday, April 30, 2010 as: "No Phone Zone Day" throughout the State of New Mexico. Editor's Note: Portions of this story were taken from a press release by the New Mexico Department of Transportation.