PennDOT, Safety Partners Urge Motorists to Avoid Distracted Driving Behaviors

Joanne Bauer

Joanne Bauer

Published February 25, 2017 5:22 am
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MILLCREEK TWP., Pa. — On Friday, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Northwest Regional Highway Safety Network, and Millcreek Township Police Department urged motorists to be aware of the dangers of distracted driving as part of an event highlighting “Daniel’s Law” and honoring motorcyclist Daniel Gallatin.

(Pictured above: the late Daniel Gallatin)

As part of the event, Michelle Gallatin-Baughman, daughter of Daniel Gallatin, shared the story of how her father was killed in a crash caused by a driver who was texting.

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(Pictured above: Michelle Gallatin-Baughman gives a testimonial about the impact distracted driving has had on her family as her mother records the message.)

Daniel Gallatin, an avid motorcyclist, firefighter, and military veteran, was riding to his daughter’s home when another driver stuck his motorcycle in May of 2013. He died from injuries suffered during the crash.

Unsatisfied with the sentence the driver received, Daniel Gallatin’s family worked with Pennsylvania legislators to increase the penalties for drivers who are texting when causing a serious crash.

In November of 2016, Governor Tom Wolf signed “Daniel’s Law,” named in honor of Daniel Gallatin.

Effective as of January 4, 2017, drivers who text and cause a fatality will receive a five-year jail sentence, and drivers who cause bodily injury while texting and driving will receive a two-year jail sentence.

The Gallatin family continues to participate in community outreach opportunities to spread the message about the dangers of distracted driving, including texting.

Distracted driving is defined as anything that causes a driver to take their attention away from driving, eyes off the road, or hands off the while is a distraction. Distractions can include eating, drink, smoking, adjusting the radio, searching for an object in the vehicle, personal grooming, looking at things outside the vehicle, interacting with passengers, using a cell phone or texting.

According to PennDOT data, there were more than 14,800 crashes and 66 fatalities involving distracted driving in 2015.

Additionally, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety states 40 percent of drivers, and 66 percent of drivers age 19 to 24, reported reading a text message/email while driving in the 30 days prior to the survey. More than 31 percent of all drivers, including 59 percent of drivers 19 to 24, to admitted typing or sending a text message or email while driving.

Pennsylvania law prohibits using a wireless device to send, read, or write a text-based communication while driving. This includes texting, instant messaging, emailing, or browsing the internet. It is a primary offense and carries a fine of $50,00 plus fees and court costs.

For more information on the dangers of distracted driving, visit www.penndot.gov/safety and click on Traffic Safety & Driver Topics.

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