Letter from Father of Deceased Daughter Killed by Tractor Trailer - Driver Texting.
Dear Sirs,
I would like to congratulate the State of Florida for naming July as Distracted driving awareness month and also the Stay Alive Just Drive program for their continuing work to bring awareness to this ever increasing danger on our roadways.
On January 3, 2008 my daughter Heather was killed on Rt 27 in Polk County by a tractor trailer driver who was texting his company when the collision occurred. 40,000 people a year are killed on our nations highways, many by distracted drivers and the pain that these families must endure in everlasting.
We must continue to educate and legislate to reduce these needless fatalities. The State of Florida must now join the many other states in our country by passing " Heather's Law, a comprehensive ban on hand held cell phones and text messaging while driving. Recent studies have proven that these practices are just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated and they are the most prevalent of all distractions while driving.
I urge all Lee County residents to support the Stay Alive Just Drive Program and also to urge their State legislators to pass Heather's Law in the 2010 legislature.
Sincerely
Russell Hurd
Note: ICE4SAFETY does not advocate using cell phones of any sort or texting while operating any motor vehicle or machinery because you cannot adequately and safely drive and concentrate on other matters like conversing on a phone. Period.
Just Drive.
