DVD released to educate drivers on dangers of texting
TAYLORSVILLE — "I truly regret what I have done," a humbled Reggie Shaw said through tears.
On Sept. 22, 2006, Shaw was driving to work while sending and receiving text messages on his cell phone. Within seconds, Shaw drifted into oncoming traffic and clipped a car, causing it to spin out of control and collide with an oncoming truck at a combined rate of speed of close to 100 mph, according to prosecuting attorney Don Linton.
The impact of the crash killed Keith Patrick O'Dell and Jim Furfaro, who were on their way to work at Alliant Techsystems.
"It is a mistake I cannot take back and I cannot change. I will live with it for the rest of my life," Shaw told a crowd during a news conference Wednesday.
The Utah Department of Transportation in partnership with the Utah Department of Public Safety introduced a DVD that educates and illustrates the personal impact that one driver's cell phone texting played in the death of two men. Shaw gives his personal account of his mistake in the DVD. He was charged with two class A misdemeanors for negligent homicide, served 30 days in jail and was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service, which includes giving presentations to all middle schools and high schools in Cache, Box Elder and Rich counties.
He was Utah's last texting driver to receive "such a light sentence," according to the DVD presentation.
Shaw believes many don't understand the magnitude texting while driving can have until they see it firsthand.
"I have known personal friends who have seen our prosecuting of Reggie Shaw, and they have stopped texting in the car," said Cache County Attorney James Swink.
The growing problem isn't just a problem among teens. More than 40 percent of adults engage in texting or have recently, according to Swink, who said there is "a lot of work to be done."
Swink said the victims' families are also doing their best to educate others about the dangers of texting while driving.
"(The family) has been wonderful. They want the message to get out how serious texting (while driving) is," he said. Both men "were very accomplished engineers and scientists that developed rocket motors. … They were killed. It's as tragic as you can get."
A new law banning texting while driving went into effect May 12 in Utah. Fourteen other states have similar bans. Utah Highway Patrol troopers say they continually investigate accidents where texting is a contributing factor.
"It is an everyday occurrence. We have actually seen motorcycle riders texting while they are riding their motorcycle, it is that out of control," said UHP Col. Daniel Fuhr.
Recent comments
Studies have demonstrated that using a cellphone impairs driving as...
NDM | Sept. 2, 2009 at 1:07 p.m.
And what about the major problem of even using cell phones while...
Part of problem. | Aug. 13, 2009 at 6:00 a.m.
Thanks I am sending this to my sons...................
Anonymous | Aug. 12, 2009 at 7:02 p.m.
- RSL will play for MLS Cup tonight 3:06 a.m.
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime 3:06 a.m.
- Utah Utes whip SDSU 3:05 a.m.
- BYU records with win 3:05 a.m.
- RSL dancing with soccer stars 3:04 a.m.
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals 3:04 a.m.
- Dixie State campus briefs 3:03 a.m.
- Weber State campus briefs 3:02 a.m.
- UVU campus briefs 3:01 a.m.
- BYU campus briefs 2:59 a.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- Can BYU throw vs. Air Force?
- Cougars cruise to victory in Hawaii
- Huntsman blasts media over trip
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Christian leaders not backing down
- BYU records with win
- TCU still has a chance
- Orem man acquitted in tot's death
- Religion cited in deportation fight
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
192 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
173 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
129 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
122 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - BYU records with win
95 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
87
A little after midnight Wednesday morning, about 21 hours ago as I write...
There's a lot of reason to leave your plastic home as you shop:
Beck is extremely smart, he is selling books and is very popular on TV. All...
@Mick, the Federal Govt is run by corporations through contributions and...
Lets bond together and hope for a REAL celebration SUnday night, can hardly...
I was on the playground too and some teachers came out and called us all to...
B.Y.U. has been a consistent a top 25 ranked winner under Max Hall. Hall has...
Did Timp win four in a row or 4 in 4 years?
You have a lot of growing up to do, It seems like you have not cxperienced...
The proposed ethics law puts roughly the same burden on a legislator that a...
Hall ACTUALLY broke the all timme wins record vs WYO last week. I guess...
Sounds to me like Kraig Powell may be a candidate for resignation. So long,...


