Straight Talk Law: Seattle, Washington Personal Injury Lawyer Jason Epstein On The Drive Against Distracted Driving

The drive against distracted driving seems to be gaining momentum – and just in time.

Distracted driving – the practice of operating a motor vehicle while calling or texting on cell phones or engaging in other activities that distract from the road – has been an increasing problem in our society, in the same category as driving under the influence. Certain types of distracted driving are actually more dangerous than drunk driving – and can easily cause just as many car accidents that result in personal injury and wrongful death.

The Washington Post released one of the most shocking polls ever in early April – nearly 80% of adult drivers had personally witnessed a distracted driving incident. That included spotting motorists who engaged in incredibly aggressive driving while calling or texting.

As a personal injury lawyer in the Seattle Washington area, I myself decided enough was enough and began T.A.D.D. – Teens Against Distracted Driving – and put up a website at http://teensagainstdistracteddriving.com where younger drivers can take the pledge not to engage in driving while texting or calling. Now it appears that all across America, others are helping the drive against distracted driving pick up speed. Note these important news stories:

• The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution naming April as “National Distracted Driving Awareness Month”

• The National Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood, was working out when he saw a Ford commercial touting a new car feature, the Sync feature, for hands-free cell phone calls and navigation. The commercial showed a 20-something woman driving and bragging on the phone, while she looked out every window but the front windshield! LaHood asked Ford to remove the commercial, as it was an inducement to distracted driving. Ford modified the commercial (LaHood would still like the Sync system removed from cars entirely, as it’s been proven that hands-free is just as dangerous as hand-held phone conversations).

• In Shelby Township, outside of Detroit, local police staked out the number one intersection for car accidents – specifically looking for distracted drivers. Since the state of Michigan has yet to pass legislation against the practice, the township passed its own ordinance recently and the law enforcement officials were anxious to crack down. “You see people reading books as they’re driving, or the newspaper on the steering wheel,” said Shelby police sergeant Ken Cazabon. “Texting is a big one.”

• Iowa recently became the 21st state to ban texting and driving.

• A small graphics company outside Dallas, Texas, is passing out free bumper stickers to encourage motorists to stay off their cell phones behind the wheel – one bumper sticker reads, “Shut Up and Drive!” and another says, “Honk if you love Jesus, text if you want to meet him!”

Any movement that cuts down on the number of car accidents causing personal injury and wrongful death is a movement that’s worth working for. Let’s all help the drive against distracted driving roll on.

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