Utah Texting While Driving PSA 1085-Echo: A Texting Tragedy

[rebab2000]

It is amazing to me that people are still texting while driving. Are they really that stupid? What have we created.

[SpartanLegion1]

This is a population controller.

[ChivasBarcelonaMex]

um he sad negligent homicide shouldn't it have been negligent manslaughter?

[Albylion]

The trouble with this video is it shows that what Reggie Shaw did was a fluke, "just one of those things" that has to happen to somebody, and he was just unlucky. "I thought I was safe." No, he thought he was special, just like everyone thinks when they text while driving. Consequences only happen to other people. It's okay if you do it "just this once" or if you're "really fast." 'The laws are there to protect me; I don't have to obey them, everyone else does.'

[supersaiyanmofo]

I dont feel sorry for Reggie at all. It doesnt take brains to figure out texting while driving is dangerous. Its sad what happened... but people like him will never learn until somethin like this happens..... lesson learned, when its too late.

[ittasteslikewp]

@supersaiyanmofo I work with reggie. and you dont know half of what he has been through. Reggie is an awesome guy and is not an idiot! he wasnt always getting in trouble or making mistakes so dont label him as a person who never learns. I dont think you know what its like living everyday knowing you killed two men. KILLED! You will never know what its like. Try to show a little affection for a man who made a mistake and is now making a difference!

[poodledreams]

So many lives destroyed by a stupid mistake, the families of the deceased the family of Mr Shaw, Mr Shaw himself, Mr Kaiserman who must live with the knowledge that even though he was not responsible for the deaths it was his vehicle whose impact killed the two men. The only positive thing I can take from this is that Reggie Shaw is a decent young man who is genuinely remorseful, He shows courage in dealing with the consequences of his actions. But there are no winners in this sad case.

[MyMultimedia]

Hey zerofatalities, I have a few questions.

1. Is Utah the only state where you can get a criminal record if you text and drive, even if you don't crash?

2. Texting and driving could earn you a $750 fine in Utah, as well as three months behind bars. If you cause a fatality, it's a felony. But it's still legal in Utah to have a regular conversation while driving. The part that I don't understand is, when you dial the number to reach the person you want to talk to, isn't that just like texting?

[zerofatalities]

@MyMultimedia

In Utah, it can be a Class C Misdemeanor if you are stopped for texting while driving. More than half of all states have similar laws that penalize drivers even if they don't crash.

Dialing a phone # is also distracting, but is not legally considered texting (Utah Traffic Code 76-4-401).

It is possible the person could be cited for careless driving (Utah Code 41-6a-1715).

The bottom line: Zero Fatalities recommends you put the phone away entirely.

[MyMultimedia]

@zerofatalities So basically even if you're having a regular conversation while driving if the conversation interferes with your ability to drive safely (e.g. can't stay in lane, doing 10 under the limit) you can still get a ticket for careless driving. Is that correct?

And I know texting and driving is currently illegal in 34 states and DC, but my question was, if you text and drive in Utah, in addition to $750 and three mos. in jail, could that also earn you a criminal record?

[justinh339]

@zerofatalities Hi zero fatalitie I was recently cited for texting and driving there was no accident or other violation. I was curious as to what the average fine for a citation such as this might be?

[ThinkStage]

Here is a video of what I am trying to do to prevent myself from texting and driving. Its free and no apps needed. Give it a try and pass it on

youtube.com/watch?v=2gfxxVzRw1­I&feature=youtu.be

[cvevans]

how can I download a copy of this?? I prosecute vehicular fatality cases and would like to use this video in presentations to students.

[Darthdickus1234]

Reggies mistake was causing this accident in Utah, the hanging State.

[TheMarcellusFamily]

I went to school with Reggie. He was such a nice guy. I remember hearing about this and feeling horrible for him:( Hes super brave for having to talk about it now to schools and try to work through it. Poor guy:(

[tidalwave39]

bless all of them even reggie. He came to my school and said its hard to know that you took two lives just because of a cell phone. it is hard maybe someday in heaven the lives that were lost will forgive him maybe they already have.

[SmithKO89]

But inside that video, one guy said that they crached in about 100mph, that's wrong, when 2 car's hit eachother at exactly 60mph is it just like hitting a wall at 60mph and not 120mph (they tested that on Mythbusters).

Meaning the crach there, they most like hit eachother in about 40-55mph, but since the blue car got hit from the side which is a weak spot on a car, it got total wracked, and the people driving died.

It's a good video and can make people see it's dangerous to text wile driving.

[SmithKO89]

The best way to prevent an accident wile driving and your waiting for a call or get an sms, you just pull over the car and stop at an junction (or something like a buss stop), then make the call or text that message, but also say that your in the car and can call/sms back when your done driving.

And for those who cant do that, remember this, when your driving and you just want to call or send an sms, slow down your speed, and don't have full focus on the phone, but about 9/10 focus on the road.

[SmithKO89]

@SmithKO89 That way, your sms might have alot of typo's, but you have a better chanse to prevent a accident.

But still the best way to do it, is to pull over the car at a buss stop or something like that, and do what you "have" to do, make that call or send that text, when you know your done, then drive to where your traveling to.

[LiesaShultz810]

Rip the audio from this video at speedyconversion doht cohm.

[countrypride3]

the Bear River high school that he went to was that in California?

[zerofatalities]

@countrypride3 No. Reggie Shaw is from Utah.

[BeautifulTree]

Menh! I just watched the video at my orientation. I text and drive too but after this video I will NEVER touch my phone while driving. I've always know that I can die from texting while driving but it never cross my mind that I can kill somebody too...I wont be able to live with that

[zerofatalities]

@BeautifulTree That's good that watching that helped you change your behavior. Now, remember, you are not only saving your own life but others around you. Now share it with your friends.

[poptartsRshiz]

this video really touched me.. i did text and drive. after watching this video i will never even touch my phone in the car! i realize now that everytime i picked up my cellphone in the car i was taking my life and every one else's around me into my hands. i will never text and drive again!

[zerofatalities]

@poptartsRshiz Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate comments like yours and knowing that people are changing driving behaviors will only help us reach our goal of Zero Fatalities.

[HeyAnimeGal]

Reggie came to my school and ive never heard the whole school get so silent before as they did when he talked to us. its horrible thinking that he has to live with that huge regret for the rest of his life but he's probably saving many more lives than he's killed by doing these speeches!

[katyperrymusiic]

Reggie came to my school today, Notre Dame Prep in Michigan, and his speech was so inspiring. I started crying when he came in person and shared his story, and I know for a fact some of my other friends felt the same way. It definitely made every kid in that room think twice about texting while driving. Having him come to us in person was the greatest way to make an impact. It is such a horrible story. However I think a lot of the people are making him feel worse than it really is.

[katyperrymusiic]

(continued) I mean yes, he was involved in an accident that ended in death for two people, but those people were going to die at some point in their life. I feel so bad for Reggie because I know he is a good person and he's so young and he doesn't deserve to go through all of this. Please tell him that our prayers are with him here at ndp, and God is with him. <3

[zerofatalities]

@katyperrymusiic We are glad that you learned something from the presentation. Be an advocate now and remember the responsibility you have as a driver.

[Kevinmntx]

how can i get this clip onto my computer and then burn to dvd, i work for a company that i need to show the clip around but do not know how to download it

[zerofatalities]

@Kevinmntx go to our web site and click the contact us tab.

[JoeyEhm]

@Kevinmntx Try downloading Realplayer. It's a good program that gives a little pop-up bar that allows you to download just about any video that you watch on the net.

[BP3DP]

Oprah now say's Utah has the toughest texting while driving laws. That is a bunch of bull. This kid was texting on Highway 89 in Layton. He ran a red light and t boned my wife while doing over fifty five miles an hour. I was picking up my groceries of the high way while my wife filled out a statement. We were there a good half hour. The nineteen year old who hit her. Was texting the whole time I was there. The cops told me they could not check his phone record. This was November 23 2009.

[oxomgitsjenxo]

@BP3DP I am happy your wife was okay. I ended up flipping my car four times to avoid someone texting and driving. These videos give me such a eerie feeling. I cannot stress enough how lucky I was to survive. The guy who caused my wreck did not stop.

[BP3DP]

@oxomgitsjenxo You flipped four times? Wow... I think that it should be jail time if you text and drive.. About the same as dui.. For real.. I just wait until i get somewhere and then check my phone.. not like i call anyone or ever answer my phone anyways.. I think I might even just shut my damn cell phone off and spend the hundred dollars a month i spend on it on something better.

[nskater94]

I heard Reggie speak today and my heart goes out to him as well as the other families. It is obvious that Reggie is a good person. We have all been in situations similar and have just been lucky nothing happened. He has taken a tragedy and made something positive from it. I hugged him to do and the look in his face made it obvious his remorse. I could only imagine if that was my son. I hope some day he can forgive himself and I believe his message will hopefully spare other families this pain

[67F250]

this is so sad... I saw this in class a while ago... And its just so sad... I feel bad for both families :(

[drowsydriving001]

I met Reggie after he showed this video. Not only is the video good, but Reggie telling his story I thinks helps get the message out there. As tears ran down his face, it got to me and others in the room! I hope not only teens but anyone who texts & drives sees this!

[zerofatalities]

@drowsydriving001 Where did you see him speak? Reggie has done a great job spreading the message and he does such a good job helping the message hit home, especially with young adults. Thank you for posting.

[drowsydriving001]

@zerofatalities I met Reggie at last years Zero Fatalities Safety Summit. I lost my son due to a Drowsy Driver. I am the only person in my group; NODD ~ No Drowsy Driving. I have talked to a group of Civil Air Cadets. I also recorded a PSA for the UT Dept of Transportation about Drowsy Driving. I have written so many emails (which I've not got any replies) to get some laws to try to educate the public and help law enforcement with the danger on our highways!

[scrumps101]

@drowsydriving001 Are you kidding me!?!? No replies?!?! They should be ashamed of themselves. A parent loses a child at the hands of another and goes unheard?!?! How many more children will it take before someone does pay attention....I certainly hope it's not mine. I'm so, so sorry for your loss.  Something that never should have happened and bless you for trying to see that it doesn't happen again. Good luck my friend.

[drowsydriving001]

@scrumps101 Thanks for your support!

[SimplyPhaniie]

aww i saw this video this morning in class , & just showed it to my mom & brothers ..

i really wish i couldve watched his presentation in my school ,

when he came but my teacher didnt let us go =/

i hope hes doing fine , & hearing him really openss ppls minds aboutt double thinking texting while driving ..

[necrocat88]

I really enjoyed listening to Mr. Shaw when he spoke at our school. I hope a lot of people listen to his message everywhere he goes. Texting while driving is deadly, and nobody is safe while drivers are doing it

[zerofatalities]

@necrocat88 What school did you hear Mr. Shaw speak? Thank you for commenting.

[necrocat88]

@zerofatalities It was actually just today, at Wasatch High School. We all enjoyed him speaking to us

[pavilionking06]

People in Utah can't drive regardless of texting or not... give them a cell phone and the crash is imminent.

[leetrowbridge]

just had friend send this video to me and I will be forwarding this to all my kids and the youth of my church, thanks for the message and to the love ones who have lost a loved one.

[zerofatalities]

Thanks for sharing. This video is very powerful. Thanks for spreading the message and for posting.

[radiomancb]

This kind of video should have been made months ago, this is something everybody needs to see and learn!

[zerofatalities]

@radiomancb just to let you know it was made in August and has been seen all over the United States. Please pass it on to your friends

[radiomancb]

That's great!

[zerofatalities]

Thank you for commenting on this video. We appreciate all the comments. Share this with those you care about and help spread the word.

[cdf361]

That is so sad i cried!!! I dnt kno what i would do but i kno i am not texting and driving anymore, i can wait!! I wish he would come to my old highschool here in texas and to the colleges too people need to see someone elses accident to push them to stop thats what i think!! Thnks for posting this i found out about this from a work safety meeting

[DigitalDailyStore]

This guy came to my school in Logan, Utah. What a sad story, reggie shaw didn't mean to but for what he did he deserves the time, and to the families that were killed, I'm sorry for your loss. :(

[jules8breakfast]

He came to my school too.

It was a really sad story.

[DigitalDailyStore]

Yea. Where you live at?

[jules8breakfast]

Price

[ajagzyII]

awesome and sobering message. we all need to learn that little silly decision can mess our entire life up. what a tragedy