HARRISBURG, June 8 – A bill introduced by state Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence, was approved by the House Judiciary committee this week.
Gibbons legislation commonly referred to as Daniel’s law (H.B. 853) is designed to toughen penalties for distracted driving accidents.
Gibbons said he introduced the bill in honor of Daniel Gallatin of Lawrence County who was killed May 7, 2013 while riding his motorcycle when a driver who was texting while driving struck him from behind.
“Changes need to be made to increase the severity of the laws governing cell phone use while driving to prevent people from being killed the way Daniel Gallatin was, and that is the reason I introduced the bill,” Gibbons said.
“The action of texting while driving can have serious consequences and we have to look no further than the Gallatin family to see how life-changing those can be on innocent victims and their families,” Gibbons said.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, in 2015 there were 66 fatalities caused by distracted driving, and more than 300 fatalities in the past five years, including Daniel Gallatin. More than 3,000 fatalities and 431,000 injuries occurred nationally in 2014 due to distracted drivers.
“In the time it takes to read a text message, a vehicle can travel the distance of a football field. Studies have shown that distracted driving makes a person 23 more times likely to crash, and it can be just as dangerous as drunk driving,” Gibbons said.
The legislation would bring the penalty for distracted driving accidents in line with drunk driving offenses, such as homicide by vehicle and aggravated assault while under the influence.
Gibbons said this is an opportunity and an obligation to send a message that distracted driving is unacceptable.
The bill is expected to be voted on by the full House where Gibbons is encouraging swift passage of the legislation.
“I will fight to ensure that this legislation makes it to the governor’s desk to be signed into law,” Gibbons said.
Well done Rep Gibbons.