The tragic chain collision of vehicles including a school bus in Missouri on August 5th, 2010, was caused by a 19 year old driver. He was texting at the moment he collided with the back of a tractor trailer truck. Two school buses loaded with students crashed into the back of the 19 year olds pickup truck. The kid texting and a 15 year old student on a school bus were killed. 38 people were injured in the horrific pileup.
The teenager reportedly sent eleven texts in eleven minutes just prior to the collision. He was the son of a respected Missouri Congressman. He was a member of the University of Missouri football team. By all accounts a normal, responsible kid.
The National Transportation Safety Board investigated the accident and has since recommended a nationwide ban on the use of both handheld and hands-free devices. They are simply too dangerous says the NTSB. I am inclined to agree.
Myself and my fellow members of the Injury Board are teaming up with EndDD.org and 60forSafety.org to present a special campaign to high school students to end “Distracted Driving”. Hundreds of lawyers will present an informative and interesting Powerpoint presentation to local high schools during one week in April, nationwide, including Hawaii and Alaska.
If you are an educator, parent or simply a concerned citizen who would like to have the Injury Board’s distracted driving presentation brought to your local high school, please contact me and I will be happy to put you in touch with a participating attorney in your State or City.
If we can prevent even one of our children from texting while driving, this campaign will be well worth the effort. My thanks to the Injury Board for making this happen.