Straight Talk Law: Seattle, Washington Personal Injury Lawyer Jason Epstein On “The Faces Of Distracted Driving”

Margay Schee of Citra, Florida was 13 years old, when she was the victim of wrongful death. Her school bus was hit by a semi-truck travelling at 60 mph; the driver of the semi said he never saw the bus.

Julie Davis, 58, of Rudolph, Wisconsin, had 14 grandchildren, the last one of which she never got to meet. She was walking alongside a road with her friend when a 19 year-old driver, going 70 mph, hit her and killed her instantly. There was no attempt to brake.

Ashley Johnson of Asheville, North Carolina was 16 years old when she was driving to help tutor a student, veered into another lane and right into the path of an oncoming vehicle. She was killed in the car accident and it was later discovered that she was retrieving a text at the time of the crash.

These are three of what the Department of Transportation calls “The Faces of Distracted Driving,” an online video campaign designed to prevent distracted driving, which was responsible for 5500 wrongful deaths last year as well as a personal injury toll of 500,000.

Last month, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the launch of the campaign, which will focus on the personal stories of those who perished as a result of distracted driving – either because of another driver texting or talking on a cell phone or because they themselves were engaging in the dangerous practice.

LaHood has been very vocal about the distracted driving problem since he first recognized the growing dangers. “Believe it or not, I wasn’t always so outspoken about the dangers of distracted driving, said LaHood in his blog. “But that all changed as I met people from coast to coast who told me about the loved ones they lost in senseless crashes caused by texting and cell phone use behind the wheel. And it was their stories – of dreams shattered and lives cut short – that turned the fight to end distracted driving into my personal crusade.”

The Department of Transportation feels strongly that putting human faces on this issue will force motorists to think twice before picking up that cell phone while in the driver’s seat.

The first three “Faces of Distracted Driving” videos can be viewed at http://www.distraction.gov/faces/index.html and those with personal stories to share are invited to send them in to faces@distraction.gov. DOT expects to add a new video every few weeks.

For more free “Straight Talk Law” information, please visit the website of Seattle, Washington Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney Jason Epstein at www.straighttalklaw.com, where you can order free books on personal injury lawyers, Washington auto accidents, auto insurance, and other valuable legal information, offered as a public service by Mr. Epstein’s law practice in Seattle, Washington. Mr. Epstein allows invites teenagers to take the pledge to not text and drive at his website, www.TeensAgainstDistractedDriving.com.