Los Angeles County Honors Young Distracted-Driving Accident Victim

November 13, 2012

Los Angeles County honors young distracted-driving accident victim

As part of our back-to-school tradition, Americans are used to the sight of high school cross-country running teams hitting the streets in packs in the autumn. In Sherman Oaks, California, on October 19, 2012, 16-year-old Conor Lynch was out running with his team when he died instantly upon being struck by an SUV driven by an 18-year-old unlicensed female driver. He was crossing the street and the distracted driver failed to yield the right of way.

By coincidence, the accident that killed Lynch happened during National Teen Driver Safety Week, always the third week in October. This year, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors proclaimed that NTDSW would be held in the county in Lynch's honor. The proclamation cited the need to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, especially because of texting while driving.

Lynch's death inspired the creation of the nonprofit Conor Lynch Foundation to fund and promote programs to increase pedestrian, bicyclist and teen-driver safety, including the fight against texting while driving.

Texting while driving

AT&T's It Can Wait campaign against texting while driving commissioned a recent teen survey with the following findings:
-Almost all teens understand the danger of texting while driving and also expect their emails and texts to be answered in five minutes or less.
-Three-quarters of teens say their friends commonly text while driving.
-Just under half of teens will say they have sent texts while behind the wheel.

Citing Virginia Tech Transportation Institute Research, AT&T notes that people who text behind the wheel are "23 times more likely to be in an accident or near-accident."

What California law says about using cell phones while driving

In California, talking on a cell phone while driving is illegal unless the device is hands free, with a few exceptions, including placing emergency calls. However, drivers under 18 may not use either manual or hands-free cell phone devices.

Texting while driving, which includes instant messaging and emailing, is illegal in California, except for drivers of emergency vehicles.

A new, controversial law will take effect in the state on January 1, 2013, that will allow drivers to text message behind the wheel if they use newer hands-free communications devices that are voice operated. Many opinions have been voiced in the media both questioning and supporting this change. Those that support it say that it is necessary for people who conduct business from their cars, that it recognizes a modern reality and that hands-free texting is certainly safer than manual. Opponents say that even composing the texts verbally distracts the mind from driving unacceptably.

Anyone who is harmed in a distracted-driving accident should discuss the situation with an experienced California personal injury attorney to understand their rights and options.

Article provided by Law Office of Daniel W. Dunbar
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