Case in Point: Nothing Done to Protect Drivers, Passengers

From Bixby Bulletin:

OKLAHOMA CITY (September 15, 2009) The decision of law enforcement to not issue a citation to a bus driver involved in an accident due to texting while driving is a source of consternation for one state Representative who has strived to enact cell phone and texting bans. House Democratic Leader Danny Morgan, D-Prague, expressed concern that Oklahoma City Police would allow the catalyst of a fender-bender accident to drive away unfettered, despite corroborated reports that the driver was texting at the time of the crash.




“I am really surprised, first and foremost, that the driver involved in the accident was not issued a citation for at least reckless driving,” said Rep. Morgan. “Most troubling, however, is that a school bus driver, entrusted to take our kids home from school, endangered their lives to send a text message, and then was allowed to continue their route.”



Yesterday a school bus driver, transporting approximately 40 John Marshall Public School students, swerved suddenly from the left lane to the right then slammed on the brakes, causing a car behind the bus to hit it. Reports indicated that no one on the school bus suffered injuries, although a pregnant woman in the car that hit the bus was checked out at the scene.



The crash occurred Monday near John Marshall High School, located at 122nd Street and Portland Avenue.



Witnesses at the scene of the accident notified police officials that the bus driver was texting while driving, which was confirmed by the school’s principal. The principal stated that the school district will be investigating this incident.



“This is a perfect case in point that our laws are insufficient in addressing the rapid changes in driving behavior,” stated Rep. Morgan. “For those who continue to dismiss cell phone risks while claiming that our existing laws are adequate, well, obviously they’re not, because if they were then citations would have been issued and lessons learned about unacceptable driving habits.”



“All involved in this accident are very fortunate to have been able to walk away with only a lesson in unsafe driving; I hope our legislators step up to strengthen our laws to protect Oklahomans everywhere.”



Representative Morgan, alongside Representative Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa, will be hosting an interim study on cell phone use and texting while driving on October 8th, 2009 at the state Capitol.