The "sequel" to Werner Herzog's stunning short films about the ravages of distracted driving has debuted at a running length of 35 minutes. "From One Second to the Next" visits with those whose lives have been shattered by four drivers who were distracted by text messaging. The film was sponsored by AT&T -- and created by Herzog as a director for hire. The half-hour film can be viewed below or at itcanwait.com The documentary opens with the testimony of the mother of Xzavier, a Milwaukee boy left in a coma and without legs after a woman who was texting hit him in a school … [Read more...]
Kentucky adding 3 points for texting
August 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Saying the danger was too great to wait, Gov. Steve Beshear has ordered a three-point penalty for the offense of texting while driving in Kentucky. The points add new financial incentives to stop driving distracted since insurance companies can use points to set higher premiums for offenders. Kentucky's fines for violations of its distracted driving laws are a relatively low $25 for the first offense and then $50, plus court costs. Under Kentucky's 2010 distracted driving law, adults are prohibited from text messaging & driving, while drivers under 18 are barred from use of all … [Read more...]
DOT: Distracted walking ‘real problem’
August 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Saying distracted walking is "a real problem affecting our country," new DOT chief Anthony Foxx helped kicked off a program focusing on the dangers to pedestrians. "Everyone in America is a pedestrian," said Foxx, paraphrasing the new DOT campaign's slogan. The U.S. Department of Transportation has earmarked $2 million in grants for use in pedestrian safety education. Cities with high numbers of pedestrian deaths -- such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago -- could apply for the grants this month. (The DOT calls them "pedestrian focus cities.") More than 4,400 pedestrians lost their … [Read more...]
N.Y. texting fines up to $400
July 27, 2013 by 4 Comments
New York's fines for electronic distracted driving have increased, as part of the state's multi-pronged attack on drivers who text message and use handheld cell phones. Fines max out at $400 for serial offenders. The tougher fines were included in the 2013-14 state budget. New York's governor said the move would address "a frightening epidemic on our roadways," calling the increase in traffic fines "an important tool to punish and prevent this reckless behavior." They are in addition to the late May hike in DMV points against violators' licenses to five. Points can be reflected in … [Read more...]
Oregon Legislature OKs doubled fines
July 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Oregon lawmakers have voted to increase fines for texting and using handheld mobile phones while driving to as much as $500. The plan now goes to Gov. John Kitzhaber, a Democrat who approved the expansion and toughening of the state's distracted driving law in 2011. Most violators would pay $250 plus fees for texting and cell phone convictions -- less than the new maximum. The current maximum fine, $250, would be doubled. The original Senate bill called for fines as high as $1,000. A rival plan in the House sought to increase the maximum fine to $2,000, but it was ignored. The … [Read more...]
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