Grieving Parents Help Pass Texting While Driving Legislation After Distracted Driver Takes Daughter’s Life in Florida Auto Accident
You read about it everyday; another fatality on the road due to distracted driving. The outcomes are tragic, but some left behind-including the parents of a 26-year old who was killed by a driver on a Florida highway-are doing something with their pain.
Russell and Kim Hurd of Maryland were preparing for their daughter's wedding when they got the phone call that their daughter was killed in a car accident in Florida. And, not just any accident; the driver operating a tractor-trailer was texting while driving when he collided with their daughter's vehicle.
However, soon after the incident the Hurd's became proactive in pushing for a ban on texting while driving. Along with raising thousands of dollars, they have also pushed for a new state law. And, today, thanks to their help, there is no texting and driving within the state of Maryland.
In Texas, another set of parents who lost a child in an accident caused by a distracted driver have also made a difference. Their tireless efforts have resulted in a ban within the state of Texas on texting for all drivers.
Since more and more people are owning and using mobile devices, auto accidents caused by texting while driving, for example, is becoming more prominent. The National Transportation Safety Board estimates that nearly 5,500 fatal accidents and over 500,000 injuries occur annually due to phoning or texting while driving-and this number is only expected to rise.
Thankfully legislatures and proactive parents are bringing awareness about the dangers of using a mobile device while driving.
Unfortunately, the state of Florida-the location of the horrific accident that took the life of Heather Hurd-has no texting while driving ban in place despite numerous attempts. However, legislators are not giving up. They plan to introduce a Florida texting while driving bill again in January 2012.
