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The Toughest Law Against Texting While Driving Took Effect in Utah

The toughest texting law in the country took effect on July 1, 2009.  In Utah, a person, who was distracted by texting, can be imprisoned for up to 15 years, if the texting distraction caused a crash in which someone was injured or killed.

The law is a result of an accident that occurred on September 22, 2006 in Utah. Reggie Shaw, 19, was texting his girlfriend when his SUV crossed over into the other lane and hit a car carrying James Furaro and Keith O'Dell, two rocket scientists. Their car spun out of control and was struck by another pickup truck hauling a trailer. Both scientists were instantly killed.

At first, the investigating officer Bart Rindlisbacher could not identify the cause of the crash, since Shaw denied doing anything out of the ordinary. However, based on a witness's statement that Shaw's car was swerving on the road before the accident and Shaw texting immediately after the crash, a subpoena for Shaw's phone records was issued. The records showed that Shaw had sent 11 text messages in 30 minutes before the crash - the last message was sent at 6.47am, which was a minute before Shaw called 911. 

The investigators could not charge Shaw with negligent homicide, since they had to show that he knew or should have known of the dangers of texting on the road. But after Terryl Warner, a victims' advocate, argued that the dangers were broadly known to the public, Shaw was charged with negligent homicide. After facing the two victims' families in court in November of 2008, Shaw decided to plead guilty. He was given a 30-day sentence in jail and 200 hours of community service. In February of 2009, Shaw appeared before the Utah Legislature and after his sincere testimony about his experience and the real dangers of texting while driving, the anti-texting law was passed in Utah. 

Because of this tragedy, currently, in Utah the penalty for texting behind the wheel is up to 3 months in jail and a $750 fine. If the violation causes injury or death, a texter faces a felony charge that carries up to 15 years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

For more information, please see:

Bad News For Floridians on the Road; Texting and Celling Behind The Wheel Remains Legal
Common Driving Distractions
Don't Let Them Longhorns Outshine Us - Here is What You Can Do 
Texting While Driving... It Should Be Illegal in Florida 

Texting While Driving May Soon Be Illegal in Florida

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The Law Office of Jeffrey Meldon and Associates strongly believes that public education is the first step in the prevention of an accident or in the recovery from one.  

They are experienced personal injury attorneys, trial lawyers, negotiators and litigators that have been proudly working to get accident victims the justice they deserve for over 30 years in Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Inverness, and the rest of North Central Florida and North Florida. Accidents involving a car crash, truck wreck, and motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian accidents, dog bites, slip and falls and medical malpractice are all included in their practice.

Based on Jeffrey Meldon's, founder of The Law Office of Jeffrey Meldon & Associates, over 30 years of helping accident victims get justice and a fair shake from the insurance companies he has written the consumer guide book, Seven Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Florida Accident Case.  You can request your free copy right now, or contact his office for your complimentary copy sent to you today.

Contact the Law Office of Jeffrey Meldon at (800) 373-8000 or (352) 373-8000 immediately if you have been involved in a serious auto, truck or motorcycle accident.  They are in your community, have the experience and resources required to work towards obtaining a fair settlement for you, and are there to help you.

Mr. Meldon's Office proudly handles accidents that occur on all roads and in the areas including: I-75, I-10, I-95, U.S. Route 301, U.S. Route 441, State Road 40, State Road 26, State Road 24, Archer Road, Main St, and University Avenue.  Our law firm has  been representing accident victims in Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Inverness, Palatka, Crystal River, Daytona Beach, Interlachen, Spring Hill, Dunnellon, Bunnell, Live Oak, Starke, Jasper, Cross City, Perry, Trenton,  Leesberg,  Lake Butler,  Tavares, Chiefland, Bronson, Brooksville, The Villages and the counties of Alachua, Marion, Columbia, Citrus, Volusia, Sumter, Levy, Lake, Bradford, Flagler, Hamilton, Dixie, Gilchrist, Union, Hernando, Suwannee, Union, and Putnam since 1971!

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