Safer Driving Starts with Less: Minimizing Distractions on the Road | Jennifer Morrison (Bonus Episode)

For many families, the car isn't just transportation - it's a second living room, a snack station, a homework hub, and the place where life happens between destinations. But with so much happening inside the vehicle, it's easy for distractions to quietly steal our attention.

In this episode, Diane sits down with Jennifer Morrison, Director of Vehicle Safety Strategy at Mazda, to discuss ways families can make everyday drives calmer, safer, and less stressful. Together, they explore how simplifying what's happening inside the car can help us stay more focused on the road, how modern safety technology is designed to support (not replace) attentive driving, and why creating calmer routines before you leave the driveway may be one of the easiest ways to protect the people you love.

Links Discussed in This Episode |

• Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
• Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube Channel
• IIHS.ORG
• Report: Consumer Reports Names Mazda Its First‑Ever Safest New‑Car Brand
• Jennifer's Resource: Audible
• Connect with Jennifer
• Website

About Jennifer |

A nationally recognized automotive safety expert, Jennifer Morrison is Mazda’s chief safety advocate in the United States, shaping technical policy positions, guiding public‑facing safety communications, and representing Mazda across regulatory, academic, and industry forums.

Jennifer led Mazda North American Operations to established of the Vehicle Safety Strategy & Communications Department for Mazda North American Operations, where she leads safety compliance, vehicle safety ratings, and advanced safety research for the U.S. market. She is responsible for aligning Mazda’s safety roadmap with emerging regulatory, technological, and industry trends, while advancing the company’s human‑centric approach to crash avoidance, crashworthiness, and occupant protection. Her work supports Mazda’s long-term vision of eliminating roadway fatalities and reinforces the brand’s reputation as a leader in safety engineering.

Jennifer began her career in the Office of Defects Investigation at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) before spending 15 years as a Vehicle Factors Investigator and Investigator‑in‑Charge at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) There, she investigated more than 70 major loss‑of‑life crashes involving passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, and trains. Those cases profoundly shaped her dedication to preventing roadway crashes and driving measurable improvements in vehicle safety.

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