Letter: Distracted drivers kill people
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Elissa Schee speaks to the House Transportation Committee in support of HB64, which would strengthen distracted driving penalties. Salt Lake City, Friday February 9, 2018. Schee's daughter Margay was killed in an accident involving a distracted driver. Rep. Carol Moss, D-Holladay is at left.
The facts are compelling. It is distracting to talk or text while you are driving. Distracted drivers maim and kill people.
The National Transportation Safety Board reports that in just one year, 3,450 people were killed and 391,000 were injured in incidents involving distracted drivers. The NTSB found that 92 percent of respondents would support laws banning handheld phone use while driving.
Why, then, are our legislators unable or unwilling to pass such a law? One suspects it is because they themselves want to keep on talking and texting while they drive.
Mr. Legislator, your freedom ends at the tip of my nose; your selfishness is injuring and killing people every day. Either support House Bill 13 or tell us why you won’t.
Dana E. Wilson, M.D., Holladay
Submit a letter to the editor
For over 150 years, The Salt Lake Tribune has been Utah’s independent news source. Our reporters work tirelessly to uncover the stories that matter most to Utahns, from unraveling the complexities of court rulings to allowing tax payers to see where and how their hard earned dollars are being spent. This critical work wouldn’t be possible without people like you—individuals who understand the importance of local, independent journalism. As a nonprofit newsroom, every subscription and every donation fuels our mission, supporting the in-depth reporting that shines a light on the is sues shaping Utah today.
You can help power this work.
Donate to the newsroom now. The Salt Lake Tribune, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity and contributions are tax deductible