Involved in big accident...texting driver caused it (story and photos)

I have noticed so many people texting lately that it amazes me. Everyone's doing it.

I bet that was terrifying in that last few moments. I'm glad you were quick thinking.

100% preventable...don't text and drive...and yes I already told the victim and the police that I would be happy to stand in court and speak about what I saw first hand.

Texting and driving...so stupid.

Glad you're OK.

Ugh...distracted drivers suck!

I'm glad you weren't hurt. These photos are a good reminder for me to take surface streets rather than automatically jumping on the expressways. At least the distracted drivers would only be going 35 or 40 mph on the smaller roads.

As fewer drivers bother to pay attention to driving their vehicles, it only makes sense to drive defensively. Very, very defensively.

Lately it seems like I must have a sign on me that says, "if you're an idiot who drives 10 mph below the speed limit because you're concentrating on your CELL PHONE, and have no brain power left to drive, get in front of me".
Seems like every day all the way to work, which is almost entirely no passing zones.

BTW, did the state of Ohio officially change the state flower to the orange barrel?

I'm glad you are alive and well, OhioKimono. Staying alert likely saved your car and injury to yourself. That's a nice job you did with the pix of the accident.

I hope the justice system grinds this driver into a bad spot on the road, but I'd settle for keeping him off the road for five years or so.

Thank goodness you're allright. And thank goodness you've mastered the art of defenisve driving.

Looks like he might be on a bicycle from now on or making weekly payments to SafeAuto.

OK--glad you were unharmed.

A friend of mine has just completed a meta analysis of all scholarly articles involving both texting/driving and drinking/driving...and the results show that texting/driving is by far more dangerous. This backs up individual study data previously released by the NTSB and Ohio State Highway Patrol.

However, penalty has not caught up with reality.

Penalty comparison: DUI vs. texting while driving

First Ohio OVI
1st Drunk Driving Conviction

Jail – 3 Days Minimum up to 6 Months or,
Driver Intervention Program – For 3 Days
Jail – 6 Days (If Blood Alcohol Concentration .17 or Above)
License Suspension – From 6 Months to 3 Years
Reinstatement Fee - $450
Fine – From $250 to $1,000

Second Ohio OVI
2nd Drunk Driving Conviction

Jail – 10 Days Minimum and, Electronic Home Monitoring – From 18 Days to 6 Months
Jail – 20 Days (If Blood Alcohol Concentration .17 or Above)
Fine – From $350 to $1,500
License Suspension – From 1 to 5 Years
Reinstatement Fee - $450
Vehicle Immobilization – 90 Days
Driver Intervention Program

Third Ohio OVI
3rd Drunk Driving Conviction
Jail – 30 Days to 1 Year or,
Jail – 15 Days and Electronic Home Monitoring from 55 days to 1 Year
Jail – 60 Days (If Blood Alcohol Concentration .17 or Above)
Fine – From $350 to $1,500
License Suspension – From 1 to 10 Years
Reinstatement Fee - $450
Vehicle Immobilization – 180 Days
Attend Mandatory Alcohol Treatment Program

Fourth Ohio OVI
4th Drunk Driving Convictions

Felony Offense
Jail – 60 Days to 1 Year
Fine – From $800 to $10,000
License Suspension – From 3 Years to Permanent
Reinstatement Fee - $450
Mandatory Vehicle Forfeiture
Mandatory Drug / Alcohol Treatment Program

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Texting while driving: no Ohio statewide law.

Toledo has a municipal ban on "distracted driving". Penalties not nearly what a drunk driver would face.

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I'm generally not in favor of more laws, but when there are practically no laws on the books for a new and dangerous activity, there should be some action.

Perhaps a first offense should be a week in a diversion program, $1000 fine (if they're kids, that's payable by Mommy and/or Daddy--they'll be thrilled), and license suspension for 6 months to 1 year...an eternity in teenage years and still a pain in the ass if you're older.

If that doesn't get the message through, amp it up for second offense to a 10 day (minimum) jail term, $10,000 fine, license suspension for 2 - 5 years, AND vehicle forfeiture. This is assuming that they haven't killed or hurt anyone from a massive accident (incurring more charges).

Those penalties might...just might...wake some of these self-important pricks up to the fact that Facebook doesn't need to be checked every 30 seconds...

Dead serious (pun absolutely intended).

One solution might be to simply augment exisiting reckless and careless driving laws to specifically include cell phone use, oldhometown. Those penalties are severe enough to deter most sensible folks, and they would pack a wallop for the idiots who cause vehicular damage and/or personal harm due to their actions.

He looks like a teenager. I wonder if there's some way you could get your version of the events to his parents.

I'm sure her version is in the police report and the parents will no doubt get that. And you are assuming he didn't tell them. Cell phone would be gone if it was my kid, so maybe he didn't tell them, lol.

I think the law should be changed from texting distraction to any distraction. Texting is no different that using a cell phone, eating, putting on makeup, reading, tuning radio, etc. It all should be punishable.

Texting is by far worse than talking on a cell phone, you have to physically take your eyes off the road to text. I'm not saying the other things aren't distracting either just texting is obviously worse.

Glad you are ok. Noticed there was a person in the back seat still in the vehicle while others weren't. Hope he is ok.

"Any distraction" can be anything including your kids fighting in the back seat, paying attention to the woman in the red dress walking down the sidewalk, and oh, flipping off the asshole that cut you off. Be careful what you wish for.

Coffee- the person in the backseat was someone who stopped to help...the off duty emt.

I agree with AC here, we don't need any more reasons for a cop to pull us over. Last thing I want is a 150 ticket for changing the radio station.

No new laws, just make the penalties stiffer. If you can't handle not txt'ing while driving you don't need to have a license. Because no matter what you make the penalty people are going to do it. No 3 strikes and your out, first time you cause an accident while txt'ing gets you a 6 month driving suspension.

I agree with AC here, we don't need any more reasons for a cop to pull us over.

Me too. The police have plenty of excuses to pull someone over if they want to. In the United States everyone is guilty of something.

The thing everyone ignores about law and law enforcement is that it isn't the punishment that changes behavior; it's the surety of punishment combined with a desirable reward. Bad driving behavior is generally its own reward. People speed so they arrive sooner; they cut someone off in traffic so they don't have to wait in line and they tailgate the driver in front of them so that the other people will get out of their way. In this case the driver at fault has enjoyed texting while driving many times and so he sees no reason to change his behavior. Likely this accident won't change his behavior as the accident is the exception, not the rule. He'll just be more careful next time.

The worst part about this is that the legislature will fail completely to provide an effective remedy for this sort of thing. Instead they'll carefully craft and pass a law that prohibits texting while driving, which will apply to everyone except politicians and the police. They'll attach Draconian penalties for infractions and trumpet their brilliant solution like seven thousand South African football fans with brand new vuvuzela.

Then it will be time for reelection.

2 minute video worth sitting through.

Break.com: Impossible Texting While Driving Test

Oh my god that was the perfect example of why you shouldn't text while driving.

http://www.13abc.com/story/18062624/2012/05/02/proposed-bill-for-stricter-penalties-for-teens-who-text-and-drive

Oh yeah, just make it illegal. That's a great idea!