In an important and emerging trend, both Illinois and DC banned texting while driving. Illinois in a proper bill and DC in an emergency Multi-purpose crime bill. The ban in Illinois went into effect earlier this August as did DCs.  Illinois and DC will join a growing list of states looking to curb accidents linked to texting. Oregon and New Hampshire banned texting drivers in July, and Alaska, Arkansas,...

Since the air is so thick with controversy (especially on this site!), we thought we’d start the work week off with some good news on the whole smart phone controversy. There are actually 2 companies out there that are developing technology that can make cell phones safe(er) for drivers. The first is actually pretty common sense technology from ZoomSafer. It’s an app for your smart phone that manages your...

This weeks’ worst comes from duiblog.com. Since the air around “Driving While Texting” is so ripe with controversy right now, this is the perfect time to contrast the common sense spoken on the issue and the hyperbole. Common sense thankfully seems to center around Ray La Hood, Secretary of the US DOT. With the article we posted this week about the summit he is going to hold on distracted driving, he...

We all do it from time to time, distractions happen. From phones to cds to eating to fumbling for change, to turning your face to the back seat to scold your kids, distractions are an ever present possibility. At TraumaSurvivor.org, we are encouraged that this summit is not solely under the label of “texting”. We agree this is an emerging and serious problem. However, with today’s smart phones, just calling...