Jennifer’s life took a tragic turn in May 2007 when she lost her oldest daughter, who was a passenger in a drunk driving crash. Even though she was grieving inside, Jennifer knew she had to be strong for her other children.
That’s when Jennifer reached out toMothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), a nonprofit advocacy group that works toward a vision of no more deaths due to drunk driving. Like MADD, Jennifer believes in a world where deaths due to drunk driving can be prevented. Currently, drunk driving is the number one cause of death on U.S. roadways, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Drivers often make unsafe decisions on our roads – such as the decision to drive drunk or text and drive – and these decisions can cost lives. In fact, preventable mistakes by drivers are a factor in 94% of crashes, the NHTSA says.
Jennifer believes fully self-driving technology has the potential to reduce crashes caused by drunk driving. According to Waymo, fully self-driving technology is constantly vigilant and can see up to three football fields away, 360 degrees, day or night, and is designed to be a cautious, defensive driver. Self-driving cars can’t get distracted, drunk, or text while driving.
For example, Waymo’s fully self-driving technology has driven more than 10 million miles, tested its technology in over 25 cities and continues to improve and refine its ability with every mile. That’s because Waymo says its technology is constantly learning and sharing new driving insights with all the vehicles in its fleet.
Jennifer shared her personal story with Let’s Talk Self-Driving, a campaign created to share information about how self-driving vehicle could build a safer and more connected world. Mothers Against Drunk Driving joined Let’s Talk Self-Driving in 2017.
Other Let’s Talk Self-Driving partners includeAAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah;East Valley Partnership;Foundation for Blind Children;Foundation for Senior Living;National Safety Council;Red Means Stop Traffic Safety Alliance; andWaymo.
The campaign is committed to sharing stories and information about how fully self-driving technology has the potential to save lives, improve independence and create new mobility options.
Sign up at letstalkselfdriving.com to receive email updates about how the technology works, as well as opportunities to ask questions and hear more stories from inspirational people like Jennifer.
