April was distracted driving awareness month, and two local Texas women are taking it upon themselves to warn the public about the dangers of distracted driving. They have personally experienced these dangers and want to save others from the harm they have suffered.
Baylor Victim
One of the women was a 21-year-old student at Baylor University. She was in the ROTC and planned on serving in the military after completing college. However, this plan came crashing down on August 7, 2017 when another motorist crashed head-on into the vehicle that the woman was riding in. The motorist was uninsured at the time of the accident. State troopers who investigated the accident suspected the motorist was driving distracted. She was indicted by a grand jury for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The Baylor student had to be airlifted to a hospital with severe injuries. She was hospitalized for three weeks, during which time she underwent multiple surgeries. She suffered significant injuries, including a nose fracture, severe concussion, broken toes, broken back, fractured sternum and several lacerations. Her hospital bills amounted to $700,000. To this day, the injuries still impact the victim and make it difficult for her to walk. The woman is in the process of launching a Hands Free America Texas chapter to educate others on the dangers of distracted driving.
Effects After Taking a Life
A mother and school teacher picked up her daughter from a volleyball game on October 4, 2016. She was talking to her about a play pulled into an intersection without noticing an approaching motorcyclist. The 56-year-old motorcyclist died after the accident. She was cited for failing to yield the right of way. The state trooper who investigated the accident asked her if she was distracted by having the radio at a high volume or eating while driving. While she did not have any of these distractions at the time of the accident, she remembered other times when she did. There was insufficient evidence for a grand jury to prosecute her. However, she was sued by the surviving family and settled the wrongful death lawsuit.
She now avoids distractions while driving, such as listening to the radio or drinking coffee. She suffers from anxiety now because of the accident. She started a blog and podcast where she discusses the importance of avoiding distractions while driving. She wants to try to help other people avoid the guilt and shame that she carries because of the accident.
Texas Texting While Driving Ban
A texting while driving ban became effective in Texas in September 2017. It is considered a Class C misdemeanor to text while driving. A first offense carries a potential fine up to $99. A second offense can result in a fine up to $200.
Texas Phone App to Curb Distracted Driving
A phone app developed in College App is encouraging drivers to avoid texting and using phones while driving. The app is called Safe 2 Save and is automatically activated when a person is driving a car over 10 mph. For each minute that the driver operates the vehicle over 10 mph and does not touch their phone, the driver earns two points. These points can be used to make purchases at local businesses. Schools throughout the area and Baylor University are having competitions, encouraging motorists to earn the most amount of points.
