For 20 years Douglas R. Horn has been representing persons seriously injured or killed on Missouri roadways. His law practice, headquartered in Independence, Missouri is concentrated in a wide-variety of car, truck, and motorcycle accident claims. Horn handles cases throughout Missouri and many of his crash cases involve high-speed collisions on interstates, state highways, and rural roads. Through his work, Horn has developed an expertise in highway safety issues, especially issues involving driver safety.
As a Missouri Crash lawyer, I have handled over 2000 motor vehicle collisions and I would estimate that about 85% of those cases were caused by a drunk, distracted or reckless driver. Although there has been stepped-up law enforcement and other safety improvements, Missouri crash cases are increasing in some areas due to higher traffic volumes, faster speeds, and more distracted drivers. Also, because driver education has all but been eliminated atthe high schools, teen drivers are contributing to a greater public safety risk.
I recently returned from the Distracted Driving Summit in Washington, D.C. While in the nation’s capital, I launched the “Reality Check” Safety Campaign. This is a teen driving safety program geared to reduce drunk, distracted, and reckless driving and to impress upon teens the legal and financial consequences of dangerous driving. The campaign will debut in 2011.
I also intend on initiating a public awareness effort called “Distracted Drivers Lead By Example”.While much attention has been paid to distracted driving among young drivers, many adult talk, text, browse, and manipulate portable electronic devises while driving. Thus, our safety campaign urges adults to not “multi-task” while driving. The foundation of this safety effort is that children are influenced by their parents who model dangerous driving behavior.
I do not have hope that new distracted driving/texting laws are going to do much good. However, I am in support of Graduated Driving Laws that apply to teen drivers. Missouri does have a GDL, but it needs to be strengthened.
You can learn more about my highway safety advocacy efforts at www.highwaysafetyattorney.com.
