Sean Symons videotaped this texting driver. The driver continued to text even after coming to a stop, apparently oblivious what had happened. He hit two cars.
I'm not sure what state this is, but likely the most this driver will get is a ticket for reckless driving and that's only because there is videotaped evidence he was texting. Had he been drinking it could have been felonious aggravated DUI with mandatory prison time, tens of thousands of dollars in fines and attorney fees, loss of driving privileges for at least five years, and a lifetime criminal record.
Groups like MADD focus entirely on drinking (as few as a couple beers) and driving, while they ignore what are arguably just as dangerous activities: speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving, drowsy driving, dangerous police chases, older drivers who have impaired vision or reflexes, poorly trained drivers, operating a vehicle with poor brakes or tires, improperly loading vehicles, unsafe towing practices, and dangerously designed cars.
When a MADD leader was asked about how traffic fatality statistics involving cell phone use compared to those involving drunk drivers, he tellingly replied "I have absolutely no idea, nor do I care." On CNN's Crossfire, the President-elect of MADD refused to discuss cell phones and the traffic fatalities they cause. She said "We're not here to talk about cell phones. We're here to talk about alcohol." Following more questions about how cell phones impair driving, the MADD leader snapped "I'm not going to talk about cell phones." Similarly, a MADD lobbyist was quoted on the program as saying "I don't care about deaths from cell phones." (MADD Pushes for New Measures. CNN Crossfire, aired June 28, 2002.)
Perhaps MADD's lack of concern for deaths caused by cell phone results from the fact that the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) gave free wireless phones to MADD chapters throughout the country along with free airtime. As the President of MADD exclaimed, "This is a tremendous shot in the arm for our organization." (Bouvet, S. CTIA joins MADD to Aid Victims of Drunk Drivers with Phones, Airtime (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) CTIA press release, January 19, 1998; Sundeem, M. Cell Phones and Highway Safety: 2002 State Legislatures Update. Denver, CO: National Council of State Legislatures, 2002.)
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Groups like MADD focus entirely on drinking (as few as a couple beers) and driving, while they ignore what are arguably just as dangerous activities: speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving, drowsy driving, dangerous police chases, older drivers who have impaired vision or reflexes, poorly trained drivers, operating a vehicle with poor brakes or tires, improperly loading vehicles, unsafe towing practices, and dangerously designed cars.
When a MADD leader was asked about how traffic fatality statistics involving cell phone use compared to those involving drunk drivers, he tellingly replied "I have absolutely no idea, nor do I care." On CNN's Crossfire, the President-elect of MADD refused to discuss cell phones and the traffic fatalities they cause. She said "We're not here to talk about cell phones. We're here to talk about alcohol." Following more questions about how cell phones impair driving, the MADD leader snapped "I'm not going to talk about cell phones." Similarly, a MADD lobbyist was quoted on the program as saying "I don't care about deaths from cell phones." (MADD Pushes for New Measures. CNN Crossfire, aired June 28, 2002.)
Perhaps MADD's lack of concern for deaths caused by cell phone results from the fact that the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) gave free wireless phones to MADD chapters throughout the country along with free airtime. As the President of MADD exclaimed, "This is a tremendous shot in the arm for our organization." (Bouvet, S. CTIA joins MADD to Aid Victims of Drunk Drivers with Phones, Airtime (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) CTIA press release, January 19, 1998; Sundeem, M. Cell Phones and Highway Safety: 2002 State Legislatures Update. Denver, CO: National Council of State Legislatures, 2002.)
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