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Whit Johnson reportingThe Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) is investigating whether drivers involved in two serious car accidents yesterday were distracted by using cell phones.
In Utah, efforts to penalize drivers who use cell phones have failed to become law in the past, but advocates still want to remind the public that it's dangerous.
Yesterday a terrible accident on I-215 may have been caused by a driver distracted while using a cell phone.
Jasmin Gomez-Deaquino, 19, and her little brother, 14-year-old Edgar Deaquino, were killed in the accident. Others were taken to the hospital.
Then, a 20-year-old woman driving on I-80 through Parley's Canyon yesterday rolled her car down an embankment. She was taken to the hospital with several broken bones.
Troopers say she too may have been distracted by using a cell phone, and it's something they're seeing much more on the roads. Lt. Robert Anderson, with the Utah Highway Patrol, says, "It's becoming more common place. It's not uncommon you see somebody on the phone, but it's getting to the point where it's not uncommon to see people texting too while driving."
Re. Kory Holdaway, R-Taylorsville, says, "This is an issue for me, and it's got to be dealt with in terms of safety. It's a new technology that's causing some safety issues on our roads."
Holdaway has tried unsuccessfully to pass legislation regarding cell phone use while driving in Utah. He and other advocates say they want to continue to raise awareness on the issue and perhaps make another attempt at a law change sometime in the future.
Recently, University of Utah researchers found those who drive while using a cell phone are in some ways just as dangerous as those who drive intoxicated.
E-mail: wjohnson@ksl.com
