Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Safety

The Human Toll of Normalizing Distracted Driving

A texting driver crashed into a church choir bus in Texas last month, killing 13 people. The son of one of the victims wants the state to finally ban texting and driving. Image: CNN

By now, everyone knows that driving while distracted by a mobile device is dangerous -- but that doesn't stop people from doing it. Recent data gleaned from drivers' smartphones by the company Zendrive shows that distracted driving is ubiquitous. People with smartphones use them on 88 out of every 100 driving trips.

Nowhere is the culture of permissiveness more apparent, or deadly, than in Texas, where about 3,500 people lose their lives in traffic every year. Texas has not had a single day without a traffic death in more than 15 years. And it is one of just four states that doesn't ban texting and driving.

Recently, a driver killed 13 senior citizens in a church choir bus and admitted at the scene to texting behind the wheel. The Dallas Morning News' Eline de Bruijn reports that the son of one of the victims is pressing the state legislature to finally act:

In addition to seeking $1 million in damages and for Jack Young to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, the suit also urges the Legislature to enact a statewide texting and driving ban, according to the Express News.

The House passed a bill last month that would ban texting and driving. The bill is now in the Senate.

Jody Kuchler, a witness to the crash, told the Express-News that he spoke with Young while he was still pinned in his pickup.

'He said: 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I was texting on my phone,'" Kuchler said. "I told him, 'Son, do you know what you just did?' He just kept saying, 'I'm sorry.'"

More recommended reading today: Urban Review STL weighs in on a local debate about whether adding turnstiles can help address public safety problems on St. Louis's Metro system. And Move Forward explains how mobile ticketing can reduce abuse of discounted transit fare programs.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Tuesday’s Headlines

Mostly Good Leg. Session, Watered Down Safety in SF, Bad SANDAG, New HSR Renderings for SF and LA, more...

October 8, 2024

Turn and Face the Strange Ch-ch-changes: Observations and Recommendations from a Week Without Driving

I used my age-appropriate tricycle and quickly discovered that a line on the side of the street is not adequate to let me feel safe riding on a moderately busy street.

October 7, 2024

Monday’s Headlines

US Supremes Side with Uber/Lyft Over State in Labor Dispute, Saturday was a Bad Day for BART, Caltrans Adding Bike Lanes to "Busy Friars Road" in SD, Erosion Threatens Beach in Encinitas, More...

October 7, 2024

Week Without Driving Day 4: Too Much Magic Bus

The Santa Rosa City Bus clearly prioritizes customer care, excellent service, and friendliness.

October 4, 2024

Advocates Push Metro and L.A. City for a More Multimodal Vermont Avenue; HLA Compliance Challenged

Metro's too-modest Vermont Avenue bus plans don't appear to comply with Measure HLA Mobility Plan requirements. It's one of at least a half-dozen Metro projects that appear to clash with HLA/MP2035.

October 4, 2024
See all posts