Seattle Attorney Proposes Big Increases to Texting While Driving Penalties

June 6, 2011 - PRLog -- Seattle personal injury attorney, best selling author and founder of the organization Teens Against Distracted Driving (TADD), Jason Epstein, has written a controversial new article arguing to increase the penalties for texting while driving. The article discusses the similarities of the statistics behind texting while driving and drinking and driving. Epstein ultimately concludes that the penalties for texting while driving should be increased to a level equal with those of a DUI.

"We all know that drinking and driving is bad because we grew up with that message reinforced time and time again in our heads," Epstein said. "Yet despite statistics showing that texting and driving is just as dangerous - if not more - most people don't even consider that the penalties should be the same."

Epstein argues that part of the reason this is the case is due to a lack of education on the subject. While almost all schools have a drunk driving assembly, only a few have taken advantage of Epstein's free TADD assemblies.

"When the kids see the statistics showing just how dangerous it is, they are quick to realize that they are unnecessarily putting their lives at risk by texting at the wheel," Epstein said. "After they sit through a TADD assembly, they are able to take a pledge to never text and drive again, and can take this message home to their parents and get them to do the same."

The current punishment for texting while driving in Washingtonis $124 without any mark on the driving record. Drinking and driving on the other hand has a much larger fine, along with jail time, suspension of license, and a mark on the driver's record.

"The majority of us see the penalties for drinking and driving and immediately understand that the crime is serious and never worth breaking," Epstein said. "With similar penalties in place, texting while driving could be viewed in the same light, and the number of accidents it causes would significantly decrease."

To view the article check out the following link: Seattle Attorney Proposes Sweeping Changes to Texting While Driving Laws (http://www.plg-pllc.com/resources/articles/seattle-attorn...)

You can also check out the Teens Against Distracted Driving website at: www.teensagainstdistracteddriving.com