Saturday, April 12, marked the 11th anniversary of the passing of Captain Herb Emory, a mentor and hero to many.
Emory was the longtime traffic anchor on 95.5 WSB and Channel 2 Action News, known for his dedication to road safety and community service.
He tragically died from a heart attack after rescuing teenagers from a flipped car in front of his house.
While helping Douglas County officers direct traffic around the Mount Vernon Road accident scene, he collapsed at the age of 61.
Despite his passing, Captain Herb’s legacy continues through his traffic reporting methodology, heart for others, and passion for road safety.
This legacy was vividly felt at the Distraction Action Forum held by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety in Forsyth County earlier this month.
AAA Georgia invited public members, law enforcement agencies, safety advocates, engineers, and data scientists to share valuable information on one of the deadliest driving distractions: distracted driving.
As the MC of the event, I interacted with many esteemed guests, and the name of Captain Herb Emory inevitably arose in conversations.
Those who knew him instantly lit up, reminiscing about his impact and expressing that they still miss him.
Captain Herb’s death came during the early years of the smartphone revolution, a period in which mobile devices started to significantly infiltrate driving habits.
While phones are just one of many driving distractions, the discussion at the forum brought back memories of Emory’s passion for road safety.
Garrett Townsend, AAA Georgia’s public affairs director and a 28-year employee of AAA, spoke highly of Emory at this anti-distracted driving event, reminding attendees of his influence on traffic safety advocacy.
Emory had a bumper sticker prominently displayed in his home traffic studio that read “Hang It Up,” featuring the familiar red circle with a line through a cell phone.
This sticker, which is at least 20 years old, symbolizes the long-standing fight against distracted driving—a fight that is more relevant than ever.
As Karen, Emory’s widow and a dear friend of mine, began to move from their house, I inherited some of his old equipment, including the monitor with that significant sticker.
I have placed the sticker in my home studio, fondly named the Captain Herb Ballroom, as a tribute to his enduring message.
April is recognized as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, making the AAA forum an apt kickoff for raising awareness.
A standout presentation at the event highlighted results from the 2023 Traffic Safety Culture Index, revealing that while 93% of surveyed drivers consider texting or emailing behind the wheel dangerous, at least 27% admitted to reading incoming messages while driving.
This suggests a troubling disconnect: many individuals acknowledge the dangers of distracted driving but still engage in it themselves.
Further data shows that Georgia’s 2018 law aimed at easing the enforcement of texting and driving had an initial positive impact.
However, the societal changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic led to a regression in traffic safety statistics.
During the early months of 2020, the emptiness of the roads caused an increase in speeds and a decrease in enforcement, leading to more distracted driving incidents.
A recent traffic detail conducted by the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office’s H.E.A.T. (Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic) Unit highlighted the ongoing issues with distracted driving.
In a two-hour traffic detail on March 29, officers made 125 contacts with drivers who were on their phones or otherwise distracted, issuing 48 hands-free citations.
This occurred in a small area and over a brief timeframe, showcasing the pervasive nature of distracted driving in our community.
Real change must start at home and in our vehicles.
Georgia had made significant strides in addressing distracted driving seven years ago, but a renewed focus is necessary as distracted crashes are increasingly closing in on impairment as the leading cause of fatalities on the road.
Almost everyone agrees on the need for this change, as did Captain Herb.
With most cars equipped with accessible hands-free technology, now is the critical time for a collective shift in attitudes and behaviors on our roads.
image source from：https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/opinion-ten-years-later-were-living-the-dangers-captain-herb-emory-warned-about/VWVVZODBTRGH5MB55OSO45UPMQ/
