My distracted driving crash was my personal game/life changer. As the driver in my crash, I was not distracted by a cell phone or the GPS but by joking and laughing with my four friends in the car. Giving my attention to my friends in the car and not focusing on the road was just enough to lose control of the car, crash, and change my life forever. Communicating with other people in the car is the #1 distractor to the driver in this day and age. I think daily about what happened that night and the poor decisions that I made as a high schooler. I wish I could take it all back.
Although other people are the number one distractor in the vehicle, realistically, I will not advocate to never drive with passengers in the vehicle. The other main distractors from paying attention to driving is what I am speaking about in my presentations: the cell phone, eating/drinking, shaving, makeup, navigation, bluetooth, etc. The cell phone is the easiest distractor to get rid of – just put the cell in the glove box on silent – for example. QUESTION: Is responding to a text really worth hurting yourself, a passenger, or someone else on the road? You need to ask yourself that question.
If you’d like me to share my personal story with you, at your place of work, at your school, family or a group you are involved with, please get in touch with me… I am based in Chicago. I customize each presentation in order to ensure that my message is internalized by everyone. Speaker fees allotted according to location, audience size, format, and duration of presentation. Join the 100+ organizations that have had me come out and speak.
CONTACT EMAIL : ben@benpohlspeaks.com
There are several deliverables available:
- I can come and speak LIVE (most impactful)
- I can speak over ZOOM and share my story with the audience
Testimonials:
“Ben did an amazing job relating to the kids. He showed them a true story that the kids could also relate to. I could see it in the kid’s faces that his story and lesson them about distracted driving and how it can affect somebody. Ben did an amazing job!” – Stephen Knapp, Larkin High School Driver Education Instructor (2/2025)
“Ben recently spoke to our Driver Education classes about his experience with distracted driving. Ben’s presentation moved our students here at MCHS and they came to understand that driving while distracted can have major consequences. Students who once thought “this could never happen to me” will now think twice about driving while distracted – whether distracted by their friends in the car or while using their cell phones. Ben’s story is relatable and authentic, and I would recommend him to other high school Driver Ed programs.” – Bob Fecarotta, Marengo High School Driver Education Instructor
“Ben presented for an event with my sorority and he was so great! Even though the event was via zoom he was still very heartfelt and sincere and we all enjoyed him so much. He speaks about his story with so much passion and emotion and it was inevitable to not give him your undivided attention. All in all he is a great man and speaker and I will work with him again.” – T’Asia at Oklahoma State University
I speak everywhere that I can. I love speaking at schools, community organizations, company events, clubs etc. Reach out and let me know where you want / need me to speak…
CONTACT EMAIL : ben@benpohlspeaks.com
*More testimonials under Recent Posts on the right column of page
Every day, at least nine people die and 1,000+ are injured in distracted driving crashes. Have you heard the crazy statistic that the odds of crashing increase 23x when texting while driving? These odds make distracted driving the same if not worse than drunk driving! Add to the fact that 95% of us admit to having used our cellphone while driving at some point and you have an endless supply of lives damaged or cut short. There is also the AAA statistic saying that 97% of all crashes are driver error, 3% are because of a malfunction of the automobile. Distracted driving crashes are already up 14% from the last two years – this is definitely a growing problem. The statistics about the dangers of distracted driving keep coming —
I think we can all agree that I am not your father…I tell adults and kids this when I speak with them. I am not saying to never speak to anyone else in the car – not to listen to the radio – etc. I am realistic. I know there is only so much people can do. I know that there are numerous things in the vehicle that can distract a driver from focusing on the road: eating / drinking while driving, messing with the radio / navigation, small children, pets, rain, things outside (gapper delays) and so on and so forth. I push kids and adults to think about those things and to try to consciously NOT let those things be distractions….they CAN control and have the power. The cell phone is the #1 distracter in my book that can be controlled – especially with the younger “technologically proficient” generations.
*Check out my testimonials under the PRESENTATION TESTIMONIAL PAGE in the right column*
My distracted driving story: I am Ben Pohl and am guilty of being a “distracted driver”. I paid a great penalty at a young age (17). My penalty was spending two years relearning how to walk and speak back in 1997. Take a moment to 
watch some of my videos below that will give you a more robust story and what happened to my four best friends. It was a horrific crash. No one should have made it. I essentially came back from the dead – the ER doctors were sure I would not make it through the night. I am now older and have made it my mission to make sure that people are aware of the risk and consequences so that they don’t end up like I did or worse. I focus on my own life and how distracted driving changed my life. I am determined to make a positive out of such a negative life event.
I am working hard to reach out in my area and speak with as many schools / students as possible to raise awareness about this epidemic. The value of preventing possible injury / death is so great. I will travel up to four hours by car from Chicago to speak. I have spoken all over in my home state of Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin. I pack up my Honda CRV and I am off. If flights are involved, things change a little. I have presented in Virginia and Alabama – been there and done that.
When I tell people what I do now – they simply shake their head and smile;) I recently finished obtaining my two year automotive technology certificate at a local community college (College of DuPage). I was able to obtain my second bachelors degree in automotive technology and current am a fleet mechanic during the day and teach automotive nights at a community college. Getting the opportunity to teach young people is really the reason why I do what I do. My schedule is somewhat flexible and I go out of my way to speak to groups when able.
Automotive Technician Magazine Article
College of DuPage Student Stories
The saddest part that I want to change is that people generally don’t change their behavior unless one of two things happen.
- Distracted drivers get in a horrible car crash and sustain serious injuries (like me)
- Distracted drivers are hit hard in their wallets – meaning that they are caught on their phone for instance and fined $500+ each time and the license gone for a year.
Thank you note from one of the high school instructors…
Testimonials:
“Recently Ben spoke to our Reality Illinois Teen Leaders/DuPage County Advisory Council. It was easy to observe the impact on our students. Ben’s passion and sincerity drives his important message. He left our group changed. His message is one we all need to hear. This young man is making a difference.”
Gilda Ross – DuPage Teen Advisory Council
“Ben recently spoke at Batavia PechaKucha and made a huge impact on the audience. His presentation was very emotional, enlightening, moving, and powerful. I truly believe Ben telling his story will bring awareness to distracted driving and save lives. I think this is especially important for new drivers such as high school students who will see what the consequences that just a few short seconds of looking at your phone can be. Thank you Ben for sharing your story and making a difference in the world. You are a remarkable person.”
Nancy in Batavia
“Ben recently spoke at our Gilbane building safety day. I’ve had several responses since remarking on how powerful the presentation was and the impact it has made on people. Being in the building trades we often focus on construction safety. Ben’s presentation really hit home as it is something we are all effected by in our daily lives. I’m grateful Ben has taken the time to share his story and made this topic a passion of his. Best wishes for your future Ben!
Stacy Brooks – Gilbane Construction Company
Presentations given:
Ameren Energy Company, West Liberty Middle School, West Chicago Junior High, Carol Stream Rotary Club, West Liberty Rotary Club, Woodridge Rotary Club, Bartlett Rotary Club, Roselle/Bloomingdale Rotary Club, Wheaton North High School (1000+ students), Lisle Rotary Club, Downer’s Grove Rotary Club, Batavia Rotary Club, Rotary Club of Chicago / OHare, Elk Grove Rotary Club, Schaumburg / Hoffman Estates Rotary Club, Elgin Rotary Club, Oakbrook Rotary Club, St. Charles Noon Rotary Club, South Elgin High School, Rotary Club of Glenview – Sunrise, Rotary Club of Mt. Prospect, Lake Park High School, Lombard Rotary Club, Wheeling Rotary Club, Glen Ellyn Rotary Club, Wheaton Rotary Club, Westmont Rotary Club, Arlington Heights Rotary Club, La Grange Rotary Club, Western Springs Rotary Club, Villa Park Rotary Club, Skokie Valley Rotary Club, Burr Ridge / Willowbrook Chamber of Commerce, UPS Safety Conference, Buffalo Grove Rotary Club – The LOUDEST Rotary Club, Palatine Rotary Club, RotaryONE Chicago, FUSE Youth Group, Darien Rotary Club, Algonquin Rotary Club, Lakeview Rotary Club, Geneva Rotary Club, Deerfield Rotary Club, Silver Fox Club of St. Charles, Dundee High School, Northbrook Rotary Club, Deerfield High School, St. Charles – Breakfast Rotary Club, Wheaton – Warrenville South High School, Rotary Youth Conference, Kaneland High School, Rotary Club of Chicago – Financial District, Glenbard East High School, Naperville Lions Club, Des Plaines Rotary Club, Barrington High School, North English High School, Bolingbrook Rotary Club, Bethlehem Woods Retirement Community, Metea Valley High School, Elgin Breakfast Rotary Club, Aurora Rotary Club, Barrington Noon Rotary Club, Park Ridge Rotary Club, Elmhurst Lions Club, Highland Park Public Access Television, Wheaton North High School, Central DuPage Rotary Club, Arlington Heights Sunset Rotary, Kiwanis Club of Villa Park, Kiwanis Club of Lombard, Hinsdale Rotary Club, Romeoville Rotary Club, DuPage Township Senior Center, Orland Park Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club of Glenview, South Elgin High School, Bartlett Lions Club, Lake Park High School, Elmhurst Jaycees, Elmhurst Rotary Club, Glen Ellyn Lions Club, Elk Grove Lions Club, Dundee – Crown High School, Roselle Lions Club, Wheaton – Warrenville High School, Lake Park East High School, McHenry Rotary Club, Metea Valley High School, Lake Park High School, South Elgin High School, Wheaton Lions Club, Dundee Crown High School. McHenry Morning Rotary Club, Lisle Lions Club, Lions Club District F1 Convention,Operation Prom Night – Morton West High School, Metea Valley High School, Glenbard North High School, Lincolnshire Rotary Club, Kennedy High School, Crystal Lake Rotary Club, Chicago Association of Driver Education Instructors, Oakbrook Rotary Club, Wheeling Citizens Police Alumi Association, Dundee Crown High School, Metea High School, Schaumburg AM Rotary, Naperville Rotary Club, Lake Park West High School, Naperville Kiwanis Club, Bartlett High School, South Elgin High School, Wheaton North High School, Naperville Sunrise Rotary Club, Nicholas Senn High School, Kiwanis Club of LaGrange, Aurora Kiwanis Club, Collinsville High School – Alabama, Geneva Kiwanis Club, Geneva Kiwanis Club, Park Ridge Kiwanis Club, Dundee-Crown High School, St. Charles Kiwanis Club, Chesterfield County Public Schools – VA., Illinois High School and College Driver Education Association 2019 Annual Conference, Gilbane Construction Company, Glenbard North High School, Elgin High School, Aurora Sunrise Rotary Club, Metea High School, Lake Park High School, Fasman Yeshiva High School, Wheaton North High School, Strive to Arrive Alive Student Conference – Michigan, PechaKucha: Batavia, PARTY Teen Injury Prevention Conference, Wisconsin, Elgin High School, Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance State Convention, Geneva High School, Metea High School, Elgin High School, Wilton Chamber of Commerce, St. Charles East High School, Chicago Auto Show, Wheaton North High School, Glenbard Teen Advisory Board, Kokomo Rotary Club, University of Oklahoma – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Certarus Transportation Company, Marengo High School, Larkin High School.
Schools
Private Companies: (UPS, Ameren Gas Company, Chicago Auto Show)
