The Great Hang Up

Presented by
The facts say it all: Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves and others.
W*USA 9 wants to educate you and others on the dangers of distracted driving. Join the movement NOW to put down your phone while driving: "The Great Hang Up!"
Click the button on the right and print out our "Great Hang Up!" pledge. Sign it, then keep it in your car as a reminder. We also want to hear about how you or someone you know has been affected by distracted driving. Share your stories here by filling out the response form in the column to the right, and we'll get back to you.
TALK BACK! Do you have a story to share? Tell us about it!
Did you take the pledge? Did your friends, neighbors, co-workers? Tell them about it!

Distracted Driving Links

The Facts

  • Nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted driver, and more than half a million were injured. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA))

  • The proportion of drivers reportedly distracted at the time of a fatal crash has increased from 8 percent in 2004 to 11 percent in 2008. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA))

  • More than 800,000 vehicles are being driven by someone using a hand-held cell phone at any given moment during daylight hours. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA))

  • Research shows drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)

    Traffic Saftey Facts from www.NHTSA.gov

    What is Distracted Driving?

    Distracted driving is any non-driving activity a person engages in that has the potential to distract him or her from the primary task of driving.

    There are three main types of distracted driving.
  • Visual — taking your eyes off the road
  • Manual — taking your hands off the wheel
  • Cognitive — taking your mind off the task of driving

    Texting while driving involves all three types of distraction. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA))

    • Chris Cazeault of Amissville, Va. in northern Culpeper County sent us a photo of cicadas covering a tree

    They're Here: Cicada Sightings In Virginia

    Friday, we received more photos of cicadas popping up in Virginia.

    5:55 AM, May 17, 2013
    Shooting Suspect Arrested After Found Naked on Fire Truck

    GRAPHIC VIDEO: PGFD Truck 831 crew returned to a naked man on top of their fire truck In Calverton, Md.; The Man was tased

    Police say he shot a man inside a car in Calverton while high on PCP, then fled, took off his clothing and climbed onto a fire truck.

    4:10 PM, May 16, 2013

    Police Investigate Shooting in Silver Spring

    Montgomery County Police are investigating a shooting at a residence in Silver Spring.

    9:09 PM, May 17, 2013

    Celebrate Go-Go: Rare Essence Performs on WUSA9

    WUSA9's free Spring concert series continues Friday, May 17, with a rockin' performance from Rare Essence Go-Go band.

    4:30 PM, May 17, 2013

    Top 20 Cheap Dinners In D.C.?

    Top 20 Cheap Dinners In D.C.?

    6:46 AM, May 17, 2013

    Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck In Wheaton

    12:00 AM, May 18, 2013
    Two Sisters Are Reunited Through Sports

    Two Sisters Are Reunited Through Sports

    Separated Sisters Reunite...a chance meeting changes local girls lives forever 

    12:45 PM, May 13, 2013

    DC Taxi Drivers Suspended After Gas Station Assault

    DC Taxicab Commission officials decided to indefinitely suspend the cab driving rights of Sharanjit Singh and Ephream Esheterom.

    11:42 AM, May 17, 2013

    Former Va. Doctor Sentenced In Oxycodone Case

    A former doctor was sentenced to prison time for conspiring to distribute oxycodone, says Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

    11:32 AM, May 17, 2013
    Christopher Blakeney, 29, of Triangle was just about to be arrested for some active warrants, when he crashed into a car, then a police cruiser to get away, police said.

    Christopher Blakeney WANTED in Triangle, Va. After Trying to Run Cops Over, police said

    Police are still looking for a man who they say tried to run over police officers while driving away from them in Triangle on Friday.

    3:19 PM, May 17, 2013
    right left