Oprah doesn't have quite enough power to create a national holiday - I don't think - but she has declared April 30 "No Phone Zone" Day and several government agencies are backing the event. For months now, Oprah has been using her show to advocate against distracted driving. She has a No Phone Zone pledge that she's asked viewers, and even celebrities who come on her show, to sign up and promise not to text or use hand-held phones while driving. More than 200,000 people - including the cast of Glee - have taken the pledge.
Oprah will dedicate her entire show tomorrow to the campaign, which has the backing of the Governors Highway Safety Association, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and many others. Maryland's State Highway Administration also backs the effort and tomorrow will use the overhead highway signs to show its support, along with distributing a PSA video from administrator Neil J. Pedersen. Also tomorrow there will be events in some 24 states and several cities, including Washington, where a viewing rally will be held at the Newseum.
It's a worthwhile cause and hey, it's her show, she can do what she wants. But I wonder when was the last time Oprah drove herself? I mean, doesn't she have a chaffeur? If so, he better not have a phone.