Texting While Driving - A Dangerous and Expensive Endeavor
Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at 10:50AM A Baltimore County jury has awarded $664,000 to a 22 year old female who was seriously injured in
a car accident which was caused by the other driver while they were texting. The young woman now
suffers from complex regional pain syndrome and has had to have a spinal stimulator implanted to
help relieve her pain. This verdict is a simple reminder to all that driving is a serious activity and
should not be made light of by multi-tasking to the point where we don't even realize we are
operating a several ton machine.
The Maryland Legislature banned texting while driving back in March of 2009, however the illegal
nature of this activity has not stopped everyone from doing something which is so clearly
dangerous for themselves and everyone else around them. As we enter the hottest part of the
summer many of us us are driving to the beach (or elsewhere) for our yearly break. It is crucial that
while we embark on these trips that we take the time to be safe and observant drivers for the sake
of ourselves, our families, and everyone else on the road.
Ideally no one would use their cell phones while driving because it is hard to believe that anyone
could be truly attentive to the road while chatting on their cell phone. However, at the very least
people should take a few simple steps to make the roads a little safer for the rest of us. Use hands-
free or ear pieces when driving and talking, never text while driving, never attempt to use any smart
phone applications (especially those which require typing while driving), and enter your GPS
destination in your phone or device prior to engaging your vehicle. While some vehicles have a
safety feature which prevents the entering of new destinations while the car is in drive, many people
have taken to using smart phones and portable GPS devices which do not register the state of the
vehicle when a destination is entered. Finally, if you must text, search, or change your destination
while on the road, please make sure to pull off to a safe spot such as a parking lot to do so.
This $664,000 verdict was prevantable. This was a high price to pay for both the driver and the
victim. And so for the rest of us, this verdict will serve as a simple reminder to take these relatively
simple, inobtrusive steps so we can all help ensure that we have a safe and enjoyable summer.
Reader Comments (4)
The Maryland Legislature banned texting while driving back in March of 2009, however the illegal nature of this activity has not stopped everyone from doing something which is so clearly dangerous for themselves and everyone else around them.
They should really ban texting while driving illegal everywhere. It seems I see it everyday. Someone texting and not paying attention to the road.
I believe a nationwide law against it could save lives.
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We have forgotten the basic SOCIAL CONTRACT of rights and responsibilities that binds us together as a society. Society expects citizens to follow laws it has instated in order to protect individuals and institutions. Without these laws there would be chaos -- the strong would simply take anything they wanted and the rest would have no recourse. In return the social contract guarantees that if people follow these rules or responsibilities they will be guaranteed basic rights - life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.