Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
More and more light is being shined on the dangers of driving while using a cell phone, especially texting.
In fact, a handful of Utah lawmakers are on a crusade to curb cell phone use while driving. And at least one prosecutor is on a mission to turn around what he sees as a deadly trend.
Deadly consequences
Sept. 2006, 50-year-old Keith Odell and 38-year-old James Furfaro were killed after their car was sideswiped by an SUV on State Route 30 west of Logan. Their widows, Leila Odell and Jacqueline Furfaro are still trying to recover.
"Absolutely devastating. We were close. He was my world and he's gone," says Leila Odell.
"He was my partner, and he was gone," says Jacqueline Furfaro. "And my two little girls grow up without their father. And it's not fair."
Twenty-two-year-old Reggie Shaw is awaiting sentencing on a guilty plea in abeyance, to 2 counts of automobile homicide.
"This is the first time that we could find that anybody has been charged with negligent homicide for text messaging," says Chief Deputy Cache County Attorney Don Linton, who believes there are other cases.
"We've had other deaths in this county where we didn't bring prosecution because the person we believe was text messaging died."
In fact, Linton believes in Cache County alone they've had at least 5 "texting-while-driving" related deaths since 1998. In contrast, there has been only one DUI related death.
In Shaw's case, prosecutors obtained his cell phone records for evidence.
"Frankly, I think that prosecutors are sometimes a little bit, and law enforcement are a little intimidated by new cases, but it had to be filed," Linton says. He also points out people, especially young people, don't realize the dangers.
There are other cases in Utah, including a June 2008 crash involving a private security guard, who hit the back of a slower-moving vehicle on Interstate 215. That case is still under investigation.
In March of 2007, prosecutors claim a 19-year-old who was trying to find a friend's telephone number on his cell ran a red light at 2100 South and 1300 East, striking and killing 17-year old Lauren Mulkey.
Limiting cell phone use
Rep. Phil Reisen, D-Salt Lake City, says such cases are why Utah should have a complete ban on cell phone use while driving. "Research project after research project has shown that you're essentially driving with a .08 alcohol content in your blood, when you're using your cell phone," Reisen says.
One of the latest research projects on the topic comes from the University of Utah. It claims even with headsets or Bluetooth devices, drivers demonstrated impairment while talking on their cell phones.[Click to watch video of distracted drivers]
Psychology Professor David Strayer and Associate Professor Frank Drews have issued a number of papers related to cell phone use and driving.
One set to be released late this year claims the chances of getting involved in a crash increases six-fold when texting while driving.
Drews says previous studies show simple cell phone use while driving increases the risk by four-fold. He supports the idea behind Reisen's bill, but Reisen is realistic about his bill's chances.
"I think it has a narrow chance of passing," he admits.
Negative impact
State representative and police officer Carl Wimmer, hopes it doesn't pass. "Everything you possibly could do while driving down the street talking on the phone is already covered under the law. If you can drive safely down the road while talking on the phone, where's the problem?"
Wimmer's opposition is shared by others at the legislature, and is based on a deep philosophical belief.
"If the government wanted to alleviate every risk, all they'd have to do is eliminate your freedom," Wimmer says.
He also worries about the impact of a ban on small business. "There are businessmen out there that live in their car and live on their phone while conducting business. If they're not causing a problem, we shouldn't be impeding their ability to conduct business," Wimmer says.
Senate Bill- SB149- Hillyard, L.
But Drews sees it another way. He says causing a serious or deadly crash while on a cell phone will not only damage and destroy lives; it also has the potential of ruining a business through civil litigation.
Other bills aimed at curbing texting or e-mailing while driving are meeting less opposition and Wimmer says even he might be swayed there. Still, he's not sure there should be a law.
"Educate before we mandate," he proclaims.
So what is being done to educate drivers about cell phone use?
Friday on KSL Newsradio 102.7FM/1160AM at 5:40 a.m. and 7:40 a.m., we take a deeper look into research and into what your teenager may and may not be learning in Driver's Ed.
E-mail: mgiauque@ksl.com
