Prevent Distracted Driving

Do As I Say Not As I Do Ineffective at Stopping Teen Texting and Driving

jenrgw — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:41:12 +0000

Parents – your teens may not hear what you are saying but they are watching you closely. A new survey found that many teens believe that their parents text and drive and that those who believe that are more likely to text and drive themselves.

The survey results send a clear message to parents. Put down your phones. Do not text and drive. Your children are not only watching but they are emulating your behavior. You can help protect your teen, and others, by preventing future distracted driving accidents. Talk to your child about the dangers of texting and driving, set clear and enforceable ground rules, and, most importantly, model good behavior.

16 Year Old Faces Negligent Homicide Charge After Distracted Driving Crash

jenrgw — Wed, 23 May 2012 10:39:44 +0000

A recent accident in Norwalk, Connecticut has gained national attention. On March 24, 2012 a 16 year old New Canaan girl allegedly hit 44 year old Kenneth Dorsey who was out jogging. Mr. Dorsey died in that accident.

Earlier this month, the girl was charged with negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, using a handheld telephone under age 18 while driving, and failure to drive in the proper lane. According to reports of the accident police claim that the girl was using the keypad of her cell phone at the time of the fatal crash. If convicted on the negligent homicide count, the girl could face up to six months in jail.

We express our condolences to the family of Kenneth Dorsey following this reported Connecticut distracted driving crash.

Ohio to Become Next State to Ban Texting and Driving

jenrgw — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:38:04 +0000

Last week the Ohio House of Representatives approved a bill that bans texting and driving. The bill will now go to the Governor and the Governor’s spokesman has said that the Governor will sign the bill into law.

The new Ohio texting and driving ban will make texting and driving a secondary offense for adults and a primary offense for drivers under age 18. Drivers under age 18 could face a $150 fine and a temporary license suspension. Repeat offenders could face tougher fines. Adults will not be ticketed unless they are pulled over for a primary offense. A number of exceptions also exist for adult drivers under this law.

Do you think the Ohio texting and driving bill goes far enough? Please leave a comment and share your thoughts.

California Reports Increase in Distracted Drivers

jenrgw — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:40:57 +0000

Earlier this month, the California Office of Traffic Safety released the results of a new study. According to the Office of Traffic Safety, there has been an increase in distracted driving in California. The Office of Traffic Safety looked at 130 intersections in 17 different California counties and found that 11% of motorists were driving and using a cell phone. That is a significant increase over the 7% of motorists found to be using a cell phone while driving during a similar study last year.

It has been against the law to use a hand held cell phone while driving in California since 2008.

Do you live in California? Will you pledge to stop using a cell phone while driving? We encourage you to make your pledge to end distracted driving today!

What Happens if you Send a Text to a Driver?

jenrgw — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:38:03 +0000

Texting drivers may be negligent and they may cause serious car crashes. However, what about the person who sent the driver the text? If a driver reads a text written by someone else and that driver is in an accident is the person who sent the text liable for the accident damages?

That is the question currently before a New Jersey judge. In 2009, a New Jersey couple was hit, and hurt, by a driver who was texting and driving. The couple has now sued the person who sent the text message alleging that she knew her friend was texting and she sent the message anyway. The couple’s attorney says that the person who sent the text message was not physically in the car, but that she was “electronically present.”

What do you think about this lawsuit? Should a person who sends the message have any liability if he or she knows that the recipient is driving a car at the time the message is sent? Would it be different if an email was sent rather than a text? Please share your thoughts with this in the comments.