San Diego County law enforcement has teamed up with El Capital High School in Lakeside to show teenagers the true dangers of driving and texting through an interactive obstacle course.
A few of the high school students were asked to drive through the course one time without texting, and the next time while texting. Student Justin Garcia was the first student to drive through the course. He said it was smooth sailing for him without using his phone, but after he had to answer a text message, he hit several cones and almost missed a turn altogether. Garcia said: "It was really hard ... it's definitely going to change my mind if I text or not, so I'm not going to be texting anymore."
National Teen Safety Driving Week
October 16-22, 2011 was dedicated to raising awareness and seeking solutions to unnecessary teen deaths on the road. Established by Congress in 2007 and held annually each third week of October, the goal is to focus the country's attention on this serious issue.
More than 250,000 teens are killed each year while texting and driving.
Texting-While-Driving Accident & Injury Liability
We all know about the dangers associated with texting while driving. Even Oprah Winfrey has joined the cause, ending each of her shows with a request that her viewers sign her pledge to not text and drive. Wouldn't it be great to see ALL states implement a ban on texting while driving? Many lives would hopefully be saved and many auto accidents would probably be prevented.
Texting and driving is not only dangerous, it's against the law in California. Senate Bill 28, enacted on September 24, 2008, "prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication."
New legislation has been introduced that could increase the fines for sending text messages and talking on handheld cell phones while driving. On June 23, 2010, California Senate Bill 1475 was passed, which would add one point to a driver's driving record.
The bill also strengthens California's hands-free and no-texting laws for motorists. The new law also extends to bicyclists. SB 1475 now moves to the State Assembly for consideration.
Sources: 10news.com, Insurance Institute For Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute
A. Jason Kerckhoff is a San Diego personal injury attorney and the President of Kerckhoff Law, APC, a San Diego personal injury law firm dedicated to representing people who have been seriously injured or killed, and the families of loved ones who have suffered death caused by the negligence of another.
A. Jason Kerckhoff has been successfully obtaining excellent results for his clients for more than twenty-five years. He has the highest rating in Martindale-Hubbell, which is the preeminent company that rates attorneys not only for their abilities, but for their ethics.
These ratings are obtained by peers in the community, and a small percentage of lawyers are privileged to have achieved this rating.
Serving San Diego County and Imperial County.
