While the dangers of DWT and DWI can be debated, there is no doubt that many more people are multi-tasking behind the wheel. Whether its texting, browsing, or messaging, new technologies have caused a new universe of risk when it comes to highway safety.
I have seen first-hand the devastation caused when a driver is distracted, particularly when a driver is attempting to multi-task with a hand-held electronic device. Because these accidents usually involve serious injury and/or fatalities, legal representation is necessary to recover medical expenses, lost income, and other personal loss.
While my background is that of a personal injury lawyer, I am now devoting a part of my practice to highway safety advocacy. In this regard, I am authoring a blog devoted to highway safety issues that can be found on the Highway Safety page at hornlaw.com.
In Missouri, we now have a Driving While Texting ban, but it only applies to drivers 21 and younger. This issue will be re-visited in the next legislative session and I am hopeful that Missouri lawmakers will enact comprehensive distracted driving laws that will cover all types of dangerous driver behavior.
However, because laws are not going to be enough to curb distracted driving, I am in the process of developing a public awareness campaign aimed at young drivers and their parents who model driving behaviors. Any input on this issue would be helpful to me.
