U.S. DOT, State Farm and ESPN to fight distracted driving

The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) announced it has joined forces with State Farm and ESPN's "On the Road to Camp" — a cross-country bus tour that will take ESPN's senior analyst Chris Mortensen and Insider Adam Schefter to all 32 pro football training camps in 19 days. The tour, which runs from July 29 to August 16, aims to generate awareness of the real and increasingly serious dangers caused by distracted driving.

On separate buses, carrying the "Stop Distracted Driving" message, Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter will cross the nation visiting all 32 team training camps. Together, they will log more than 15,000 combined miles before they meet in New Orleans on August 16.

"Distracted driving is an extremely dangerous and life threatening practice. We are excited to go On the Road with ESPN and State Farm to share the message that all of us need to stop distracted driving. By reminding all drivers to simply put it down, we can help put an end to the dangers of distracted driving and keep our roads safe," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

In 2008, nearly 6,000 people died on American roadways in crashes that involved distracted driving. The program is a unique way to help raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving and remind drivers that they are not invincible, and that many tragic accidents could have been prevented if it weren't for distracted driving, according to the U.S. DOT.

For more information on distracted driving, visit www.distraction.gov.