Missouri Teens Informed of the Ban against Texting While Driving...Via Text
With the new law on the horizon banning teens from texting while driving, what better way to inform teens of the new law than to spread the word via a mass text message sent by the Governor? According to a faircitynews.com story, the Governor sent about 6,000 text messages to Springfield teens informing them of the new law. Although it is debatable whether or not teens will respond amiably towards such a message, it is understandable that the State of Missouri considered it essential to contact teens. Distracted driving in the form of texting has contributed to far too many auto accidents.
Based on the report, one teen was about to start her car when she received the text message and then allegedly “blocked” the Governor’s number. Another teen who got the message said that he was parallel parking at the time and collided with an SUV in the process of reading and parking. It is a bit ironic that an accident, although small, took place while a teen received the Governor’s message warning about the new law banning teens from texting while driving. Although this new law focuses on teen drivers, adults too should certainly take notice and choose not to text or use a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.
It will be interesting to see how teens respond to the new law, and hopefully incidents of auto collisions involving teens will lower as a result. State officials claim that if teens do not adhere to the new ban, then a new program will be ready for implementation. Referred to as the Text-a-lizer, the new program would involve installing an application onto the mobile phones of teens. The application would then be able to detect whether or not a teen has been texting while driving. When the Text-a-lizer is activated, it will automatically turn the teen’s vehicle off, or lock out the ignition system.
As experienced St. Louis auto accident lawyers, we encourage parents to make sure that teenagers and their friends follow the new texting law. The ban is arguably better than having a Tex-a-lizer device installed on your teen’s cell; however, it is important for the State to do whatever it can to help increase the safety of Missouri roads and highways.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto collision and you believe that a distracted or negligent driver caused the accident, you may be able to seek compensation to help pay for your injuries and property damage. Contact the skilled personal injury attorneys at Page Cagle to learn more about how you may qualify to hold negligent parties liable for your injuries. Call Page Cagle today at 866-620-5757 for a free consultation.
Source report: http://www.faircitynews.com/2009/08/new-teen-texting-driving-ban-texted-to-teens/
