Dangers of distracted driving outlined

Jay Anderson, of the Stay Alive Just Drive program, poses with a sign that promotes the program.

Jay Anderson, a commissioner with the South Trail Fire & Rescue district in south Fort Myers, is working to curb distracted driving in Southwest Florida and beyond.

Anderson, the creator of the Stay Alive ... Just Drive program, has joined officials at the South Trail and Iona McGregor fire districts who agreed to place bumper stickers and vinyls on their vehicles reminding drivers to hang up their cell phones.

"The issue is that the automobile has become an extension of our living room," said Anderson, noting that auto manufacturers offer DVD players, navigation systems and even laptop computers as extras. "It all comes down to the simple fact that when you are behind the wheel of a vehicle, you should be doing nothing but driving."

The San Carlos, Lee/Sar Districts along with the Lee County Emergency Medical Services, have joined the program because they see crashes every day.

"It's crude to say it but I've scraped people off the road ," said Anderson, a retired EMS captain. "We want people to do nothing but drive."

Anderson's message has spread out of south Fort Myers and into the Broward County School district. They have agreed to install large Hang Up and Drive signs on the 31 high school campuses.

Anderson is working to make the same happen in Lee County schools because young, inexperienced drivers crash when text messaging or talking on their cell phones.

"If we save one life, it makes it all worth it," said Anderson, who now spends his time reaching out to people about changing their driving practices. "We've made quite an impact and all the big players are on board and more keep joining."

The Florida Professional Firefighters are supporting Anderson's efforts by lobbying to push for the passage of hands-free cell phone legislation and the primary seat belt law.

"Awareness is the key and I want people to walk away with a heightened sense of awareness," Anderson said. "The changes are coming slowly but we are creatures of habit and it will take some time to stop distracted driving."