A routine narrative of a DUI arrest report goes something like this:
The defendant was operating a motor vehicle in the 00 block of sonsoroad. The driver was weaving back and forth across the marked roadway. The defendant drove through a stop sign. Was stopped at an intersection despite the traffic light was green. Entered the lane of another vehicle and caused a crash. Drove into the rear of a stopped vehicle. Would not yield to the right for faster traffic.
As you may see, we are driving among drunken type drivers every day except they are influenced by a certain electronic device. It's criminal for DUI and needs to be at the same level for electronic distractions as well.
They both risk the lives next to them.
Class A drivers are deterred due to the heavy fines and consequences. I really believe the same should be aimed at all vehicles. They all kill and injure. I have been on the scene of many fatal crashes where the victim's phone starts ringing from the woods because that's where it landed only to find it was a friend or family member calling to find out why they were late. Sad.
Being flippant about this is putting one's head in the sand. The statistics back up what a huge problem this is. Driving While Texting. It's going to get worse.
Michael Burns
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I agree with Mr. Burns. I live off of Ooltewah-Ringgold Road, a two lane road with little to no shoulder, and I can’t tell you how many times just in the past few years I have had to slow down or stop to see if the person coming at me will get back into their lane before hitting me head on or going into the opposite lane ditch. Usually it’s a last minute jerk of the wheel to get back over.
I travel a lot of back roads with my job and I see this more and more. I recall a county close to us a few years ago having three teens killed, in three separate wrecks within a month of graduation. I heard that two of those were caused by distracted (texting) driver. All three were single vehicle accidents.
The penalty for this does need to be the same as DUI. Some may say that’s ridiculous but I bet if you ask those families of folks affected by this you just might change your mind.
Kevin Murdock