UNITED NATIONS — The United States and Russia kicked off a global safety campaign at UN headquarters Wednesday urging drivers everywhere to put down their cell phones and focus on the road.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said drivers who send and receive texts take their eyes off the road for an average of 4 seconds, going about 120 meters without paying attention.

Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said the new campaign would seek to “mainstream” the perils of distracted driving into global discussions of road safety.

(AP)