Category Archives for "Distracted Driving"

April 16, 2016

Faces of Distracted Driving

Erica Forney, 9

Erica Forney was a 9 year old riding her bike around her neighborhood. She was killed by her neighbor who looked down at her cell phone. Here is Erica's story as told by her mother.

Casey Feldman, 21

Casey Feldman was killed by a distracted driver as she was crossing the street in a crosswalk in Ocean City, New Jersey. Here is Casey's story as told by her friends and family.

John Sligting, 56

John Sligting was killed by a teenage driver who was talking on her cell phone, rolled though a stop sign, and hit John's motorcycle. Here is John's story as told by his daughter.

Ashley Johnson, 16

Ashley Johnson was killed when she lost control of her vehicle, crossed the center line, and hit another car head-on. She was texting at the time of the crash. Here is Ashley's story as told by her father.

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May 27, 2014

Reckless Driving in South Carolina?

Traffic Tip Tuesday! Is Texting While Driving Reckless Driving in South Carolina?

In today’s traffic tip, I ask you to consider whether texting and driving is reckless under the law.

South Carolina Law says that “Any person who drives any vehicle in such a manner as to indicate either a wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.” South Carolina Code Section 56-5-2920. The reason I’m bring up reckless driving is to advocate for an alternative to prosecuting texting while driving.

Although multiple bills are pending in the South Carolina Legislature, it looks like all will either die in committee or impose only a limited fine for distracted driving. I believe a limited fine for distracted driving will be worthless for improving the safety of our community.

Perhaps we can use South Carolina’s reckless driving law to prosecute those who continue to put us all in harm’s way by texting while driving. Certainly we can agree that drinking while driving is at minimum reckless driving. In light of studies and research that indicate that distracted driving is at least as dangerous as impaired driving, how can we not say that it is not reckless driving? A distracted driver may be 6 times more likely to cause a crash and can double stopping distance. Certainly those statistics indicate a wilful or wanton disregard for other’s safety.

However, only our community can determine what is reckless or not. My question to you today is whether you believe that distracted driving is reckless or not. Please post your comments and answers.

April 29, 2014

End Distracted Driving

Traffic Tip Tuesday!  Help End Distracted Driving in South Carolina.

Distracted driving bills have been introduced in South Carolina General Assembly every year since at least 2007. To date, the General Assembly has failed to pass any bills regulating distracted driving.

Three bills have been introduced to the General Assembly for the current session that ends in June, 2014. H.3317 prohibits all drivers from using a cell phone while driving and imposes a fine of up to $500. Usage of a hands-free devise is exempt. However, S.459 has made the most traction, and has passed the Senate. This proposed bill prohibits drivers with a beginner’s permit, conditional driver’s license, or special restricted driver’s license from using mobile devises while driving and imposes a $100.00 fine. S.459 is now in the House Committee on Education and Public Works.

Is there any reason why South Carolina should not adopt a texting ban? Call your South Carolina State Legislators and tell them you want a distracted driving ban.