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Casey’s Story Makes CBS Evening News Coverage as Pedestrian Deaths Surge

Sunday, April 2nd, 2017

Casey was a pedestrian walking in a crosswalk in broad daylight when she was killed by a motorist who had a stop sign. That was in 2009. A report just released by the by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)  projects an 11% increase in the number of pedestrians killed on U.S. roadways last year, compared to 2015. This would represent the steepest year-to-year increase since record-keeping began, both in terms of the number of deaths and percentage increase. Overall, pedestrian fatalities have increased by 25% since Casey death.  CBS News interviewed Casey’s dad and featured her story in its report on these latest statistics.

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Casey Feldman Foundation Founders on The Today Show – View the Segment

Thursday, December 10th, 2015

today.JPG 4

Parents of the late Casey Feldman and founders of The Casey Feldman Foundation, Joel Feldman and Dianne Anderson were on The Today Show this morning talking about Casey and distracted driving.

View the segment from The Today Show’s website here.

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Marking Distracted Driving Awareness Month – IN DE AND PA, THE CASEY FELDMAN FOUNDATION’S EndDD.ORG BUILDS SUPPORT

Friday, April 19th, 2013

 

Casey's dad, Joel Feldman, speaking at the PA news conference

DE – L to R: State Police Superintendent Col. Nathaniel McQueen Jr., Joel Feldman, Governor Jack Markell, Lieutenant Governor Matthew Denn, Tim Lengkeek, President – Delaware Trial Lawyers, Lisa Donofrio, Executive Director, Delaware Trial Lawyers

With a Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General and state lawmakers joining the cause, EndDD.org reached out to drivers and their passengers in Delaware and Pennsylvania, especially teenagers, with an urgent and life-saving warning to change their driving habits and stop driving distracted.

In separate news conferences in Wilmington, DE and Harrisburg, PA last week, EndDD.org founder Joel Feldman told the story of his 21-year-old daughter Casey, who was killed by a distracted driver. Feldman and his wife, Dianne Anderson, created The Casey Feldman Foundation and EndDD.org, a project of the foundation, to honor Casey’s life and save others.

“While I can’t bring Casey back, I can tell her story so that teens and adults will drive safer,” said Feldman, who worked with traffic safety, mental health and other experts to develop the EndDD.org interactive presentation that will be seen by more than 200,000 teens in 35 states this year.

In Wilmington, Feldman and EndDD.org supporters were joined by Governor Jack Markell, Lt. Governor Matt Denn, and State Police Superintendent Colonel Nathaniel McQueen, Jr. at a news conference hosted by the Delaware Trial Lawyers Association. That day, the state launched its second wave of cellphone enforcement, issuing tickets to drivers seen talking or texting on a cell phone. The Delaware Office of Highway Safety reported 1,718 crashes in 2012 due to distracted driving, one was fatal. Governor Markell made it clear that his office is committed to seeing that every teen in Delaware participate in the EndDD presentation.

DE – L: Governor Jack Markell, Joel Feldman and Lt. Governor Matt Denn sporting EndDD wristbands

“I was amazed by how many Delaware trial lawyers attended the news conference and stayed for a training session afterwards so that they could go out in their own communities and educate young drivers about the dangers of distracted driving,” said Joel Feldman.

In Harrisburg, Feldman joined State Attorney General Kathleen Kane, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, State Sen. Rob Teplitz, D-Dauphin County, Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-Washington and the Pennsylvania Association of Justice (PAJ). Sen. Teplitz and Rep. Neuman sponsored resolutions, passed unanimously in both houses, making April, “Distracted Driving Awareness Month.”

“Distracted driving takes a terrible toll on our families, communities and safety,” said Sen. Neuman. “It is my hope that educating everyone about the importance of safe driving habits will begin to change driving habits that caused 387,000 injuries and 3,331 deaths in 2011.”

“It is crucial to public safety that we continue to remind motorists to keep both eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel,” said Rep. Teplitz. “Just one moment of distraction can change the lives of not only a driver, but passengers, surrounding drivers and pedestrians, as well as their loved ones. No text message is worth risking lives.”

PA – L to R: Rep. Brandon Neuman , Mike Davey (PAJ), Joel Feldman, Scott Cooper (PAJ Pres.) and State Sen. Rob Teplitz

Rep. Teplitz praised Feldman and his family for “their leadership on this critical issue.”

“After he lost his daughter, Joel Feldman changed his own driving habits and committed himself to educating others nationwide about the dangers of distracted driving, especially teens,” Rep. Teplitz said.

“The (EndDD.org) presentation is heart-wrenching, powerful, and illuminating,” Sen. Neuman said. “It will challenge every mind and leave no heart untouched.”

Attorney General Kathleen Kane said, “It is critical that everyone, but especially teenagers who are just forming good driving habits that will last a lifetime, understands that driving while distracted is terrible dangerous…I am glad that the EndDD program is being show in high schools across Pennsylvania, and I’m proud to help make April “End Distracted Driving Month” in Pennsylvania.”

PA Attorney General Kathleen Kane speaking at the press conference

PAJ President Scott Cooper and Mike Davey, President of the News Lawyers Division of the PAJ, have committed their members to carry the EndDD program throughout the state.

Read more about the EndDD.org news conferences:

Pennsylvania:

Lawmakers, Victim’s Father Warn of Distracted Driving Dangers (Also view full video coverage of entire PA news conference here)

Father uses daughter’s story to tell dangers of distracted driving

Lawmakers, Victim’s Father Warn of Distracted Driving Dangers 

Father tries to prevent distracted driving (FOX News video)

PA Legislators recognize April as ‘Distracted Driving Awareness’ month  (News 21 video)

PA Auditor General Eugene DePasquale speaking at the news conference

 

 

 Delaware:

Father who lost daughter to distracted motorist leads effort

 

 

 

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RI to Roll Out Casey Feldman Foundation/EndDD Distracted Driving Program to Reach Every Teen in State

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012

In a press conference on Wednesday, October 17th held at the State House in Providence, Rhode Island, Joel Feldman and Dianne Anderson joined trial lawyers and elected officials to announce an initiative that will result in every teen in Rhode Island seeing the Casey Feldman Foundation’s EndDD.org/60forSafety  distracted driving presentation. Rhode Island Association for Justice  President, Anthony Leone has made reaching out to the community to promote safety a  central part of his presidency. Trial lawyers across Rhode Island have committed to giving the  presentation in every high school in the state to  educate teens about distracted driving in an effort to save lives.

L: Joel Feldman, Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee and Anthony Leone president of Rhode Island Association for Justice

Anthony Leone was joined by Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chaffee, Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, Gordon Fox; Senate Judiciary Chair, Michael McCaffery, Joel Feldman and Dianne Anderson. There was incredible support for the program. Joel Feldman spoke about how he was inspired to create the program following Casey’s death caused by a distracted driver in 2009 .  Joel described the scientific nature of the presentation and the very successful pilot program in the spring of 2012 which resulted in more than 41,000 teens seeing the presentation. Joel said “all of Casey’s friends  have changed the way they drive as a result of Casey’s death. I have changed the way I drive as a result of Casey’s death-we created this program so that it would not take personal tragedies for all of us  to change the way we drive.”

Joel Feldman speaking at the press conference as Governor Chafee looks on

Rhode Island is the first of a number of states’ trial lawyer organizations  to have their trial lawyers go into schools and talk with students about distracted driving. Through Joel’s tireless efforts, Kentucky, Indiana, New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania have announced similar plans and more states are signing on. It is  estimated that the program will reach more than 250,000 teens this year.

To find out about the program, participate as a speaker or arrange a presentation, send an e-mail to [email protected]. EndDD.org (End Distracted Driving) is the Casey Feldman Foundation’s sponsored site devoted to ending distracted driving.

Donate to the Casey Feldman Foundation so that we may continue with our worthy causes.
 

Related Links:

Photos from the press conference

EndDD.org – Casey Feldman Foundation’s sponsored site devoted to ending distracted driving

60 For Safety

Rhode Island Association for Justice

American Association for Justice

 

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U.S. Department of Transportation Commends Joel Feldman’s Efforts to End Distracted Driving

Friday, April 27th, 2012

By Dianne L. Anderson

Ray LaHood, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, dedicated a recent blog article to Joel Feldman’s (Casey’s father) efforts to end distracted driving through amassing some 800 attorneys and judges to speak to students across the country and in Canada. The effort was through EndDD.org, a website sponsored by the Casey Feldman Memorial Foundation and dedicated to ending distracted driving. The presentations coincided with  National Distracted Driving Awareness Month –  April, 2012.

Casey Feldman in U.S. DOT public service video

The following are excerpts from the US DOT website blog:

In February 2011, the father of a young woman who was killed by a distracted driver sent DOT a video tribute to his daughter. Joel Feldman’s powerful video about his daughter Casey was the first outside submission to become part of our Faces of Distracted Driving. And Casey’s story has proven to be one of our most effective videos, capturing the attention of people around the world. …

Since then, Joel Feldman has not rested in his pursuit of that change. The organization he started, End Distracted Driving, has been a strong advocate in our fight to get drivers to keep their eyes on the road, their hands on the wheel, and their full attention on driving safely.

And, in honor of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, EndDD.org has launched the End Distracted Driving Student Awareness Initiative. This campaign seeks to educate students and other drivers throughout North America about the dangers of distracted driving. Perhaps more importantly, the Student Awareness Initiative gives drivers simple steps to keep them–and others–safe. …

End Distracted Driving has an ambitious goal for its April initiative: to reach more than 100,000 young drivers.

Within days of EndDD announcing the effort, more than 800 attorneys from across the United States and Canada had signed up to give Student Awareness Initiative presentations through high schools and civic groups. Joel Feldman says that Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) have been particularly open to hosting these presentations….

So I’m thankful that End Distracted Driving’s more than 800 volunteers are working hard throughout National Distracted Driving Awareness Month to spread the important safety message that cell phones and driving don’t mix.

Read the full U.S. DOT blog article here.

Related Links:

U.S. DOT  April 18th blog article

Casey Feldman, U.S. DOT Faces of Distracted Driving Video and Feb. 22, 2011 blog article

EndDD.org (End Distracted Driving)

 National End Distracted Driving Month

Delco, Montco and the Commonwealth of PA Establish Distracted Driving Awareness Month at the Urging of the Casey Feldman Foundation

 

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Foundation Joins Forces With Street Safe and Police For Driver Safety Program in O.C. – July 2011

Thursday, July 28th, 2011

A guest experiencing the ramifications of distracted driving while using the Drive Square simulated Subaru vehicle

In  an effort to educate teens and adults about the importance of driving safely and the dangers of distracted driving, the Casey Feldman Memorial Foundation partnered with Street Safe Driving Academy and the Ocean City Police Department Traffic Safety Unit for a hands on educational program about distracted driving on July 23, 2011 in Ocean City, N. J. Summer is the deadliest season for  drivers, and crowded shore towns with constant congestion and pedestrians can make an already tough driving environment even worse. Casey Feldman lost her life as a pedestrian in Ocean city, N.J. to a distracted driver two years ago.

Guests were able to sign a banner pledging to refrain from driving distracted

Guests heard from speakers including Casey Feldman’s parents, Dianne Anderson and Joel Feldman and were able to participate in Drive Square Simulation System demonstrations. Participants were able to drive in virtual reality by wearing computerized goggles while operating the controls of a StreetSafe vehicle from Subaru. By introducing dangerous situations such as unexpected obstructions, sudden maneuvers from other drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, Drive Square allowed participants to practice their driving skills while in a safe, controlled environment. Participants first measured their ability to drive in dangerous situations while concentrating only on driving. A distraction—such as talking on the phone or texting—was then introduced, and the effects of distracted driving were immediately apparent.

Casey's mother, Dianne Anderson speaks with guests in the community center while Joel Feldman, Casey's father is interviewed by the press outside

The Casey Feldman US Dot  (United States Department of Transportation) video played continuously inside the Community Center along with the 14 minute Casey DVD, “Remembering Casey”, enabling guests to connect on a personal level with the potential devastating ramifications of distracted driving.

A Casey banner was on display encouraging pedestrians to exercise safety when crossing the street

Guests were invited to include their signatures on a banner, vowing to refrain from driving distracted and to encourage others from doing the same. The banner will be on display throughout the summer in Ocean City so that additional drivers may add their signatures and commit not to drive distracted.

The event is expected to be repeated in the Fall on the Ocean City boardwalk.

View the photos from the event.

Related Links:

NBC News40 TV News Clip

Press of Atlantic City

Sringfield Patch

Photos from the event

Street Safe Driving Academy

Drive Square Simulation System

 

 

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Casey Feldman Distracted Driving Public Service Video Featured by the US Dept. of Defense

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

Casey Feldman in U.S. DOT public service video

The United States Department of Defense (U.S. DOD) is the latest governmental agency to recognize the toll taken by distracted driving. In its June 18th blog the need to pay attention and stop multi-tasking was stated and as an example of the tragic consequences that can occur.

In featuring Casey Feldman’s video, the article reads in part, Internally, the department’s agencies are already working together to share knowledge and promote a greater understanding of the issue, and identify additional strategies to end distracted driving.  The consequences can be dangerous and even fatal, like the case of 21-year-old Casey Feldman.

Click here to read the U.S. DOD article and view the video.

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Casey’s Father, Joel Feldman and Dr. Robert Barroco Discuss Distracted Driving on Allentown TV News

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

Joel Feldman and Casey at the Radnor Hunt Races in May 2009

Casey Feldman’s father, Joel Feldman, and Robert Barraco, M.D. a trauma surgeon at Allentown, PA’s Lehigh Valley Hospital, were interviewed for a TV segment on distracted driving by reporter Eve Tannery of WFMZ 69.

Joel Feldman produced a public service video for the US Dept of Transportation that features his daughter’s friends and his wife. Mr Feldman produced the video hoping that by telling Casey’s story others would see firsthand the senseless tragedy of distracted driving and the toll that it is taking. Mr Feldman hopes that people will change their driving habits as a result of watching the video. Mr. Feldman and Casey’s friends all drove while distracted before Casey’s death but have now made driving a priority and have eliminated “multi-tasking.”

Mr Feldman said that “driving is the single most potentially dangerous thing that each of us does on a daily basis” and that “we have become so comfortable in our cars that we ignore the risks of driving while distracted”. He said that all the drivers who have killed others while driving distracted thought they would never hurt someone just like we think each time we eat in the car, dial a cell phone or reach for something in the back seat. Mr. Feldman stated that there has been a tremendous response to the video; it is being played in schools and he receives e-mails from those who have watched it who have changed the way they drive as a result.

Dr. Barraco talked about what he sees when victims are brought to him in the operating room. He also cited statistics about how dangerous distracted driving was, particularly for young people when they have multiple passengers in their cars. He and his colleagues at Lehigh Valley Hospital have conducted studies at local high schools that prove that with the proper intervention, students will drastically reduce distracted driving behaviors.

[Click here to view the TV news segment and here, to view the Faces of Distracted video.]

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Joel Feldman Participates in Distracted Driving Program at Lehigh Valley Hospital

Monday, April 4th, 2011

Joel and Casey in Ft. Lauderdale in Jan. 2009 on a family vacation

Joel Feldman, Casey’s father, participated in a distracted driving program with emergency room physicians at Lehigh Valley Hospital on March 15, 2011. Joel talked about his family’s loss and showed the three minute video made about Casey for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Faces of Distracted Driving” website.

The two hour presentation by three emergency room physicians and hospital staff was part of a distracted driving program launched in October by the Lehigh Valley Health Network and has been taken to over a dozen Lehigh Valley area high schools. According to the physicians, Gavin Barr, Robert Barraco and Bryan Kane,  15% of driving is distracted driving and 80% of traffic accidents occur within three seconds of some kind of distraction.

Joe Feldman stated, “ With the reception that I received after the presentation from parents and teenagers and the hundreds of emails that have been pouring in since the video was released, it is apparent that the Casey video has had a positive impact on the way that people are driving and that lives are being saved. In fact, I just now received an email from a woman who said that she never  thought about the fact that even eating in her car could be a distraction, and admitted that each and every day she eats in her car while driving her son to school. This mother said simply that since watching the video, I will never eat while driving again.”

Watch the TV news clip.  Read the article from the Lehigh Valley newspapers. View the 3 minute U.S. DOT video here.

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Joel Feldman Interviewed about Distracted Driving

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Casey and her father, Joel Feldman on Christmas day 2008

Yesterday, Fox News Philadelphia reported on distracted driving, and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s efforts to reduce this epidemic. The video produced by the Casey Feldman Memorial Foundation was aired, along with an interview with Casey’s father, Joel Feldman. To view the segment, click here.

To view more stories about distracted driving and to join the Casey Feldman Memorial Foundation in inspiring the community to end distracted driving, please visit enddd.org.

To view all of the television news videos including the FOX News interview as well as print and web coverage compiled on the Casey Feldman Memories site, click here.

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