Op-Ed - Stop Texting and Drive
Floridians lead busy lives and with all the latest breakthroughs in technology, we often find the need to multi-task - - sometimes while driving. How many of us have careened through a stop sign while searching our cell phone menu or reading an important text message? The fact is that such an occurrence is all too common, resulting in fender benders and sometimes costing lives. For the past two years I have called attention to the dangers of cell phone use and texting while driving and I believe that Florida should join other concerned states from across the nation that have taken a stand and passed distracted driver legislation. Currently 42 countries restrict or prohibit the use of cell phones and other wireless technology in motor vehicles.
Last year a grieving father called my office after losing his daughter in a car accident involving a tractor trailer driver that was texting. The rig ploughed into his daughter’s car as she sat at a red light. It was a terrible accident resulting in one fatality and several other serious injuries. That father, Russell Hurd, has become a citizen advocate creating an organization entitled Reducing Highway Fatalities through education and legislation. He dedicates his work to the memory of his daughter Heather Leigh Hurd, a vibrant 27 year old woman whose wedding plans were cut short that tragic day. Senate Bill 172 called Heather’s Law unfortunately went unheard in Legislative Session 2009. On July 7th, I re-filed Heather’s Law which seeks to prohibit a person operating a motor vehicle on a state highway from texting while driving, dialing, listening or speaking on a cell phone. Similar legislation filed in 2008, Senate Bill 266 regarding Cellular Telephone Use in a Motor Vehicle died in committee. This year in addition to Heather’s law I have submitted bill draft number 33-00095 a standalone text messaging bill.
We hope to make Heather’s memory more impactful in the upcoming session by passing legislation that sends the message STAD – stop texting and drive! Recently released national safety data suggests that texting and cell phone use by motorists contributes to increased numbers of crashes, injuries and fatalities. Seven years ago the National Highway Transportation Administration recommended that while on the road, drivers use cell phones for emergencies only. Other research suggests that distracted drivers response time is seriously hampered which contributes to 25% of police reported traffic accidents. Studies are now reporting that talking or texting while driving can be as hazardous as drinking and driving. In light of these new findings, perhaps Floridians should come to the realization that distracted drivers can kill or be killed. Making cell phone use and texting while driving a primary offense could actually lead to safer commutes on our dangerous highways. As demonstrated by the highly successful click it or ticket campaign, enforcing safety on our roadways may reduce infractions and save more lives.
To commemorate Heather Hurd’s death during the 2009 legislative session, Senators Dockery and I filed a road designation amendment to Senate Bill 672 that renamed a portion of Highway 27 in Polk County between U.S. Highway 192 as “Heather Hurd Memorial Highway.” This is the stretch of highway where Heather lost her life. Let’s pass legislation that cautions Floridians to stop texting and drive!
