The Great Hang Up

Presented by

Young drivers still texting, surfing the Web

A driver uses a cellphone while in traffic in San Francisco.(Photo: Jeff Chiu, AP)

9:25 AM, Nov 16, 2012

Nearly seven in 10 young drivers still text behind the wheel, and a growing number of them access the Internet on their cellphones while driving, according to a new annual survey by insurance company State Farm.

Young more at risk for drowsy driving

8:22 AM, Nov 9, 2012

Keeping new drivers safe behind the wheel

8:07 AM, Oct 15, 2012

The Great Hang Up Video

SEE MORE VIDEO | SUBMIT VIDEO

About The Great Hang Up

At First Coast News, we've heard from you, our viewers, about your concerns regarding dangerous driving in Northeast Florida. In particular, distracted driving caused by cell phone use. We have seen too many stories about serious accidents that happen because someone is texting while driving. Texting while driving is dangerous, even deadly.

That's why First Coast News is proud to present The Great First Coast Hang Up.

Here is what we would like you to do: Make a pledge to stop texting while driving. Or take it a step further to pledge to do your best not to use your cell phone at all while driving. Making a pledge could save your life or someone else's. It's easy. Just click on the box to the right and print out The Great First Coast Hang Up pledge. You can sign it and keep it in your car as a reminder. Ask your family, coworkers, congregation and clubs to do the same.

We encourage everyone - teens, schools, moms, dads, organizations and businesses throughout our community - to join the movement. Be part of The Great First Coast Hang Up!

And after you've joined The Great First Coast Hang Up, share your story with us about why you made the pledge.

With the rise in cell phone use and texting while driving, the number of accident victims passing through our doors is also rising. Distracted driving is dangerousâ€”and sometimes deadly. Studies by government agencies, universities and other organizations have the facts to back it up:

Using a cell phone while driving can delay a person's reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent.
Nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted or inattentive driver, and more than half a million were injured.
Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.
Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent.
Eighty percent of all crashes and 65 percent of near crashes involve some type of distraction.

The Great Hang Up Stories

Four driving 'don't's' in the Care More Argyle Campaign

5:26 AM, Jun 12, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A new campaign to increase driving safety in the Argyle area listed four 'don'ts' that drivers should avoid. The number one 'don't' is listed as distracted driving.

Texting while driving rampant among teens

9:33 AM, Jun 11, 2012

Atlanta -- More than half of high school seniors admitted in a government survey that they've texted while driving.

Texting and driving video contest winners announced

5:43 AM, Jun 5, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Students at Stanton College Preparatory School won first place in the Teen Safe Driving Video Contest calling out those who text and drive.

SW Fla. driver reachign for cell phone hits truck

8:59 AM, Jun 4, 2012

NAPLES, Fla. -- The Florida Highway Patrol says a 26-year-old driver crashed into a parked fire truck while reaching down to grab his cell phone.

Agency wants new teen driving laws

10:02 AM, May 31, 2012

It's a moment every teenager can't wait for - getting their driver's license. But every year, the number of teen driving deaths are a sobering reminder of the dangers that come with that new piece of plastic.

Seat belt safety awareness campaign in Jacksonville

8:42 AM, May 23, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- An enhanced seat belt awareness campaign across the First Coast has warned drivers of the dangers of not buckling up.

AT&T Brings Distracted Driving Simulator to Jacksonville

8:38 AM, May 18, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- When it comes to texting and driving, it can wait. That is the simple, yet vital message AT&T is sending drivers, particularly teens.

Teen Fatal Car Crash Chances Increase with Other Teen Passengers

8:23 AM, May 8, 2012

Too many teens in one car could be a deadly combination. That was the finding of a new study by AAA's foundation for Traffic safet.

Mayor Vetoes Law Restricting Cell Phones on Roads

7:49 AM, May 8, 2012

VILLA RICA, Ga. -- The mayor of a west Georgia town has vetoed an ordinance that would have required drivers to use hands-free devices when talking on their cell phones.

Disconnects in the Distracted Driving Blame Game

5:44 AM, May 1, 2012

In 1930, former Massachusetts state senator George Parker tried to ban car radios because they were too distracting.

Disconnects in the Distracted -Driving Blame Game

10:10 AM, Apr 30, 2012

WASHINGTON -- In 1930, former Massachusetts state senator George Parker tried to ban car radios because they were too distracting. He invoked the ire of both the Radio Manufacturers Association and motorists, who loved driving to music, even though early radios were expensive and sometimes burst into flames. After consumers protested at his office, Parker dropped the effort and decided to focus on drunken driving instead.

Teen Driving Safety: New Devices Track Vehicles

10:51 AM, Apr 27, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Every parent knows the time is going to come when your teen wants to drive. But how do you protect them from the dangers: distracted driving, speeding, crashes?

Local Attorneys Fight Distracted Driving

12:57 PM, Apr 17, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- It's National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and some local attorneys are are heading into our high schools in hopes of reaching out to teen drivers.

Teens Still Texting While Driving, Survey Says

10:22 AM, Apr 10, 2012

The high-profile campaign against distracted driving, especially among young motorists, has seeped deep into the national culture: April is Distracted Driving Month, and tonight's season premiere of the Fox teen hit TV show Glee features a distracted driving crash cliffhanger from last season.

Study: Fewer Young Americans Getting Driver Licenses

8:13 AM, Apr 6, 2012

Since the end of World War II, getting a driver's license has been a rite of passage for teens, but that's less and less the case.

Photo Copyright Matt Rourke, Associated Press

'Texting Lane' Prank Highlights Distracted Walking Problem

5:48 AM, Apr 3, 2012

PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter used April Fools' Day to have a little fun with what he says is a real problem - distracted walking.

STUDY: Teen Girls More Likely to Text and Drive

8:42 AM, Mar 29, 2012

Distracted Driving is clearly a problem for all ages but it's largest impact is on teens and it has a lot to do with their inability to put their phone down.

FSCJ Students Try Simulated Distracted Driving

8:36 AM, Mar 29, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Students of Florida State College at Jacksonville got a sense of what it feels like to drive distracted with a simlauted program.

Click It or Ticket Campaign in Atlantic Beach

8:33 AM, Mar 19, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Drivers should watch out for increased police activity on the roadways in Atlantic Beach starting this week. Officers will be out in full force making sure you're buckled up.

Deadline For Teen Driving Video Contest This Week

8:32 AM, Mar 19, 2012

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- This Saturday is the deadline for students to enter a public service announcement contest for safe driving.

AAA Unveils Safe Driving Device for Teenage Drivers

10:16 AM, Mar 6, 2012

PITTSBURGH -- Parents, are you worried about your kids driving a little too fast? Well, there's an app for that, kind of.

Cell Phones Become Projectiles When Airbags Deploy

11:44 AM, Mar 5, 2012

DALLAS -- Texting and driving can be deadly, but many drivers don't think about how cellphones can injure them during a crash.

Interstate 5 bridge collapses in NW Wash.; people in water

(USA TODAY) -- The Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River in northern Washington state collapsed Thursday evening, sending vehicles and people into the water, the state patrol said.

11:30 PM, May 23, 2013

Fire breaks out at second Bono's Pit Bar-B-Q

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- For the second time in a week, a fire broke out at a Bono's Pit Bar-B-Q restaurant.

10:44 PM, May 23, 2013

Woman has life-threatening injuries in single car crash

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is investigating a Thursday night crash that left one woman with life-threatening injuries.

8:44 PM, May 23, 2013

A must watch for anyone entering the summer travel season with a boat, camper or trailer in tow.

Grieving mom hopes her tragic loss prevents other towing accidents

HOUSTON, Minn. (KARE) - Kristie Cox made French toast for breakfast on a beautiful Memorial Day weekend. She kissed goodbye her husband Jeremy and two children as they headed for the library. A couple hours later, life would end as she knew it.

10:54 PM, May 23, 2013

This is the lobby of the Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee where the Powerball winner will go to claim the jackpot.

Florida Lottery prepares for $590 million Powerball winner

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The world is still waiting to hear who bought that winning $590 million Powerball ticket in Zephyrhills last Saturday.

2:24 PM, May 22, 2013

Possible Clay County traffic delays Friday due to traveling NASA equipment

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. -- During your commute tomorrow expect delays as historical NASA items travel to Wings of Dreams Aviation Museum at the Keystone Heights Airport.

5:45 AM, May 24, 2013