Prom is Great But Not Worth Dying Over - Don't Use Your Cell Phone and Drive
Posted by
Jeff WeinsteinMay 08, 2012 2:35 PM
My thoughts and prayers are with all of the families who are struggling today to understand and cope with the loss of Colerain High School juniors Miranda Lane, 17, and her passenger, Mathilde Jessen, who were killed in an automobile crash this past Thursday in Bulter County. Mathilde was a foreign exchange student from Denmark.
Initial reports indicate that Miranda failed to yield at a stop sign and was struck by an 18 wheeler.
There are no reports yet of why Miranda failed to yield at the stop sign. I'm not trying to place blame or find blame. My purpose for discussing this information is hopefully find out information that can be provided to others to make sure no other family must suffer through this type of tragedy.
How many times have you pulled in front of an 18 wheeler? Usually, we are trying to beat a vehicle across an intersection, pass a tractor trailer or distracted in one form or another.
The information known thus far is that Miranda was on her way to her prom date's house to get a permission slip that was required to attend the prom. Instead of pictures from a prom, her family stated they will be burying Miranda in her prom dress.
Miranda's mother knew something was wrong when she did not respond to text messages or phone calls.
I hear this all the time in the presentations I give on distracted driving. I have to text or pick up the phone if my parents are calling me while I'm driving. No, you don't have to. Parents need to understand that you can't tell your kids not to text and drive and then text the children the entire time you know they are driving.
When you are going over your list of Prom do's and dont's, please let your children know it's ok to drive without using the phone. They can check in when they get to where they are going. Please include instructions to drive carefully, use patience and don't worry if you get behind on time -everything will be just fine if you are few minutes late.
Drive Safe - X THA TXT
Say No to Distracted Driving
Jeff Weinstein, Dallas injury lawyer