Chevrolet joined the “No Phone Zone” campaign, created by Oprah Winfrey and Harpo Studios, to combat distracted driving. General Motors Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre, along with UAW employees from GM’s Lansing Delta Township assembly plant, announced Chevrolet’s support of the campaign in a taped segment during “The Oprah Winfrey Show” dedicated to the first national “No Phone Zone” Day.
The campaign is dedicated to honoring the lives lost due to distracted driving, educating the public about the dangers of distracted driving and activating people to make a difference in their communities. As part of the campaign, drivers are encouraged to take the “No Phone Zone” pledge. The pledge, available at www.oprah.com, asks motorists to commit to:
- Not text while driving
- Not text while driving, and use only hands-free calling
- Not text or use the phone while driving, and pull over to a secure location if they need to make a call
In addition to Whitacre’s appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show”, Chevrolet will lead an internal campaign to encourage the more than 77,000 General Motors employees in the U.S. to take the “No Phone Zone” pledge. Chevrolet will also sponsor more than 400 public service announcement (PSA) broadcasts for the “No Phone Zone” campaign. Once the PSA is finalized, it will also be available online at www.youtube.com/chevrolet.
“We are proud to help Oprah raise awareness of the risks of distracted driving,” said Jim Campbell, U.S. Vice President Chevrolet Marketing. “The ‘No Phone Zone’ campaign fits our own mission to keep Chevrolet drivers, and their loved ones, as safe as possible while on the road. That’s why every Chevrolet is designed to offer peace-of-mind, with technologies to help drivers avoid crashes, and features to protect occupants in the event of a crash.”
Chevrolet’s use of technology to help drivers avoid crashes is exemplified by the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, which will arrive at U.S. dealerships in the third quarter.
The Cruze will be available with a number of features to help drivers avoid distractions, including: duplicate stereo controls on the steering wheel, allowing drivers to adjust audio settings without taking their hands off the wheel; Bluetooth connectivity, allowing drivers to make hands-free calls using a Bluetooth-equipped mobile device; and OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation, allowing drivers to program the vehicle’s navigation system with one push of the OnStar blue button.
If an emergency maneuver is necessary, the Cruze also features active safety technologies to help drivers maintain control, including StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover sensing, traction control, and anti-lock brakes as standard equipment.
Chevrolet’s use of safety features to protect occupants during a crash is supported by crash-test results from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Chevrolet vehicles are designed to offer a comprehensive safety package, including high-strength-steel safety cages, advanced air bags, load-sensing safety belts, and OnStar Automatic Crash Response technology. For 2010 models, the approach earned five Chevrolet vehicles the highest possible five-star front- and side-impact ratings from NHTSA, including the Equinox, HHR, Malibu, Tahoe Hybrid, and Traverse.
“The test results for 2010 Chevrolet models show that we are continually improving the safety of our vehicles,” said Campbell. “We also look for ways to encourage responsible driving habits, such as using safety belts and proper child restraints on every trip. That’s why I would like to encourage all drivers to join me in taking Oprah’s ‘No Phone Zone’ Pledge.”
