In February 2011, Massachusetts teenager Aaron Deveau was driving down River street of Haverhill when his vehicle crossed the center lane, striking the vehicle of Daniel Bowley Jr. and passengers Luz Roman and Donna Burleigh head on.
Aaron Deveau was texting while driving and the accident cost the life of Bowley Jr., age 55.
According to Boston.com, District Court Judge Stephen Abany ended the trial yesterday, stating that deterrence was his primary concern regarding Deveau's case and the decision was intended to send a message to other drivers. Due to the severity of the incident, Deveau, who was 17 at the time of the accident, is charged with the maximum sentence of 2½-years of motor vehicle homicide and 2 years of negligent operation of a motor vehicle causing fatal injury while texting.
"I made a mistake,'' Deveau told the judge. "If I could take it back, I would take it back. I just want to apologize to the family.''
Judge Abany isn't the only one fed up with distracted driving. To curb the wide-spreading problem, transportation secretary Ray LaHood has revealed a plan designed to enforce safer habits behind the wheel called the "Blueprint for Ending Distracted Driving."
The "Blueprint" is a list that proposes a number of ideas, including a request for the 11 remaining states to finally join the rest of the country in enacting enforceable distracted driving laws. What's more, the "Blueprint" also challenges the auto industry to do its part by designing its vehicles around an applicable guideline for in-car technology. Directing its attention to vehicle occupant awareness, the "Blueprint" also aims to incorporate new material to address distracted driving in new driver education classes and workshops.
LaHood says, "Distracted driving is an epidemic. While we've made progress in the past three years by raising awareness about this risky behavior, the simple fact is people are continuing to be killed and injured - and we can put an end to it. Personal responsibility for putting down that cell phone is a good first step - but we need everyone to do their part, whether it's helping pass strong laws, educating our youngest and most vulnerable drivers, or starting their own campaign to end distracted driving."
The Department of Transportation will provide $2.4 million in funding between Delaware and California to launch a pilot program that will upgrade the enforcement of distracted driving laws as well as fund media ad campaigns that encourage safe driving. If studies prove that the combination of stricter enforcement and aggressive campaigning are effective, then the DOT expects similar implementation to other states as well.
To learn more about the activities within the DOT, visit Fast Lane, the official blog of U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
