TMCnet News
Travelers Institute Hosts Every Second Matters? Symposium at Illinois State University to Tackle Distracted DrivingThe Travelers Institute, the public policy division of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV), today will hold its Every Second Matters symposium at Illinois State University to explore the causes of distracted driving, as well as solutions to encourage safe behaviors. The Illinois State University College of Business, the Katie School of Insurance and Risk Management, Gamma Iota Sigma, the Road to Zero Coalition and the National Safety Council (NSC) will join the Travelers Institute in holding the event. More than 40,000 people were killed in motor vehicle collisions in the United States last year, according to the NSC. Many fatalities were caused by behaviors that take a driver's hands or mind off the steering wheel. Cell phone use, in particular, increases a driver's chances of crashing by 400 percent, according to Illinois State Police. "Nearly every distracted driving-related fatality is preventable," said Joan Woodward, President of the Travelers Institute and Executive Vice President of Public Policy at Travelers. "The Every Second Matters campaign raises awareness of the dangers of using mobile devices and other actions that divert a driver's attention, and it encourages people to speak up when they see risky behaviors." Jeff Stempora, President and CEO, Advanced Insurance Services, will deliver the keynote speech, "Addressing Distracted Driving Through Analytics and Technology." The event also will feature a panel discussion on promising approaches to combat distracted driving, including new technologies that help drivers stay focused on the road. The following speakers will participate:
"Despite the tremendous toll that distracted driving has had on our nation, it still has not been effectively addressed," said James Jones, Executive Director, Katie School of Insurance and Risk Management, Illinois State University. "I am pleased that the Travelers Institute is holding a distracted driving series across college campuses to bring attention to this menacing problem, and Illinois State University is proud to participate in the event and, ideally, be a part of the solution." Visit the Travelers Institute website for more information about the Every Second Matters campaign.
About the Travelers Institute
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180327005653/en/ |