CATA Member Ellen Hobbs Hirshman Presenting on Distracted Driving

The students were very attentive and vocal in discussing the daily hazards they confront when driving or travelling as a passenger with a distracted driver.

They were especially impacted by the video testimonials from teenagers who have caused the death of others because they made a selfish choice to drive distracted.

The students agreed to take home the Family Safe Driving Agreement to discuss the issue further with their parents and siblings.  Together we can change the face of driving in this country.

Check out all the photos from the event on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ClevelandTrialAttorneys/

On September 14, 2016, Ellen Hobbs Hirshman and Paul Grieco, both board members of CATA and OAJ, were invited to speak at Villa Angela St. Joseph’s High School (VASJ).

More than 440 VASJ students joined in the discussion about how we all need to make a conscious effort to NOT drive distracted, as well as not permitting someone to drive distracted when we are traveling as a passenger in a car.  Ellen shared that when she entered her senior year at Villa Angela, a classmate was killed in a drunk driving incident and how the loss is forever in her memory.

Distracted Driving is now responsible for more car accidents and deaths than drunk driving.  Together we can make a difference, teach folks to make safer driving choices and help make the roads a safer place to travel.

Ellen Hirshman presenting to Villa Angela St. Joseph’s High School students on distracted driving, September 14, 2016.

Ellen Hobbs Hirshman and Susan Petersen, both trustees with The Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys (CATA), travelled to Notre Dame Cathedral Latin (NDCL) on Tuesday, February 9, 2016, for two End Distracted Driving (EndDD) presentations. Both the Sophomore and Junior classes were attentive and engaged in many discussions about the dangers of distracted driving. The 365 NDCL students and teachers were impressed with the statistical data and testimonials of families that have suffered a loss because of distracted driving. The EndDD Family Safe Driving Agreement was handed out to all NDCL students to take home and discuss with their families. These NDCL students are “passing it forward” and helping to educate others about how to make smarter and safer choices when driving and being driven in a car. Together, through education, we can make our roads a lot safer.

It is a powerful and effective presentation that moves me every time I present.  I start the presentation by telling the students that I am not here to TELL them how to drive.  I do not like it when people tell me what to do and I am not doing that.  I explain that I am providing them with information so they may make informed choices the next time they drive.  I also will start my presentation by telling the students that distracted driving is NOT a teen problem.  It’s an adult problem.  We, as parents/adults have set a poor example.  We have been poor role models in this regard and we need to start making smarter, safer choices when driving. I also admit to the students that I also was a distracted driver and set a poor example for my 3 sons; and I explain how I changed the way I approach driving.

It is an interactive program that was designed along with child psychologists from CHOP (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) with the goal of reaching out to students and capturing their attention. The power point has been revised numerous times based on pre and post presentation surveys received from more than 2500 teens.   It is a science–based presentation designed to engage teens and maximize the likelihood of changing attitudes and behaviors. The presentation is based on health communication and behavior change theory and incorporates teen messaging concepts to engage and appeal to teens in a non-confrontational manner.

I toss out wristbands to the students as they participate to encourage participation.  The presentation itself combines scientific data, testimonials and a little humor (in appropriate places).  At the end of the presentation, I usually discuss a Family Safe Driving Agreement (attached hereto) and ask the schools to discuss the issue with their students in smaller groups and have them take home the agreement to share with their families.  You see, we educate the students not only that they may make safer driving choices, but as a passenger, they do not have to let people drive them distracted!

And the students have been very receptive to the program.  Karen Roxbury from Gilmour Academy wrote to me recently to let me know that the dialogue is ongoing at the Gilmour community.  I was moved by her note:

Heather Giel at Our Lady of the Elms emailed me today and said the program “WAS A HIT!”  Their students liked the fact that I did not “speak down to them”, but rather spoke honestly about my history of distracted driving and the lengths I had to go through to change my approach to driving.   Even their faculty is reevaluating how they drive.

Together, we can change the way we drive and create a safer community!

Here is the EndDD Safe Driving Agreement we use: EndDD Safe Driving Agreement

The Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys and I were invited to present the End Distracted Driving program www.enddd.org at Our Lady of the Elms in Akron, Ohio yesterday afternoon, October 27, 2015.  The 200 students (7^th graders through 12^th graders) and faculty were profoundly moved by the testimonials and data contained in the presentation.

The students will be taking home the Family Safe Driving Agreement to discuss safer choices to make when driving and when being driven.

CATA is making a difference and changing the way people drive!

To see all the photos of the event, visit the CATA Facebook Page.

Joel Feldman presenting to teens in PA on ending distracted driving (via www.pajustice.org).

On Friday, June 13, 2014, Joel Feldman traveled to Cleveland at the invitation of the Cleveland Academy of Trial Attorneys (CATA) to make an End Distracted Driving presentation to nurses and medical providers at the Hospice of the Western Reserve.

The presentation was well-attended at the Hospice of the Western Reserve main office and telecast to four other locations to HWR personnel. Hospice of the Western Reserve personnel were excited to have Joel in attendance to discuss with them the dangers of distracted driving, especially given that they are often out in the field providing care in the home to their patients.

Those in attendance commented that they certainly will approach driving with a different point of view and attempt to avoid driving distracted.

CATA has adopted Ending Distracted Driving, in partnership with Joel’s www.endDD.org, as its mission for community outreach this year, under my tenure as president.  In addition to Joel’s presentation, CATA member William Eadie has presented to Shaker Heights High School students, and Cleveland Municipal School District students at MLK High School.  We look forward to more member presentations in 2014-2015.

If you have questions, comments, or would like to request a presentation for your school or organization, please comment below.