Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT), a telematics service provider, and the Kiefer Foundation, an entity focused on ending distracted driving, have announced their continued collaboration.
This partnership will be prominently featured at the foundation’s annual “Swing for Safe Driving” Ball Golf Tournament, where CMT will act as the title sponsor. The event is scheduled for May 22 at the historic Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
The “Swing for Safe Driving” Ball Golf Tournament is an initiative by the Kiefer Foundation to tackle the dangers posed by distracted driving. Through funds raised at this event, the foundation aims to promote awareness, support technological advancements, and push for policies centred around hands-free driving across the country.
CMT’s data has been instrumental in demonstrating the efficacy of such hands-free legislation. Since 2018, the company has tracked an average 13% reduction in distracted driving in the initial three months following the introduction of handheld bans in eight states. More recently, Ohio’s hands-free bill, effective from April 4, 2023, has seen a 9% drop in distractions.
Steve Kiefer, chairman of the Kiefer Foundation, said, “We are so pleased to have CMT as our title sponsor for the second year. CMT and the Kiefer Foundation are completely aligned in our passion to make the roadways of the world safer. The incredible work done by the CMT team provides detailed analytical data, which has been critical in getting hands-free legislation passed in 27 states. Their work is truly saving lives.”
Ryan McMahon, SVP of strategy & corporate development for CMT, echoed Kiefer’s sentiments. He stated, “The Kiefer Foundation is saving lives. It’s as simple as that. The work that this organisation is doing in concert with other road safety advocates is having a major impact on road safety. We’re proud to support their critical work.”
The need to curb distracted driving is becoming increasingly urgent. A recent CMT report shows that phone interaction occurs in 58% of trips, with American drivers spending 2 minutes and 12 seconds of every hour driving on their phones. Alarmingly, 34% of distracted driving happens at speeds exceeding 50 mph. CMT estimates that elevated distraction levels in 2022 resulted in an additional 420,000 crashes, 1,000 fatalities, and $10bn in damages to the US economy.
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