A Very Sad Last Tweet

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A Very Sad Last Tweet

If you are a news scanner, like I am, you probably saw that Dr. Frank Ryan (Plastic Surgeon to the stars) was killed on Monday, August 16, 2010 when his car drove over a cliff near his home in Los Angeles. At the time of the first report, the article I read said that Dr. Ryan did not drink or use drugs. It turns out now, however, that he was Tweeting about his dog at the time of the crash (Heidi Montag Plastic Surgeon Frank cell phone Ryan Texting Before Fatal Crash).

It is really hard to know what will get people to change this behavior. While it is very sad that this man died while texting/Tweeting, I hope that the cause of his death will get a lot of publicity. Especially for teens, and even busy executives, who are tied to their Blackberries, iPhones and Droids, the need to be in constant contact is virtually addictive.

The lure of the vibrating phone is one that is hard for all of us to turn away from, but it is critical that we continue to talk about the threat to personal and public safety caused by texting, emailing and tweeting while driving.

As the new school year begins, make a vow (if you haven't already done so) to put down the phone when you drive. If you don't have the will power to at least wait until the next stop light to check it, put it somewhere beyond your reach and make it impossible to check while driving.

This sad story shows that a person can make other wise health choices and still end up dead because the lure of the instant communication is too great.

Please remember this story the next time you 'just want to see who that email is from.'

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Posted by Holly Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Northern VA on 08/18/2010 02:43 PM

Comments (140)

Texting While Driving in the ActiveRain Channel

texting, tweeting, cell phones, opinion, misc from a reston realtor

Originally posted at: Real Estate and Reston, VA: A Very Sad Last Tweet

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140 Comments on A Very Sad Last Tweet

AUG

2010

Great Post! So sad.

Hi Holly~ I guess it will be just as difficult to get people to stop texting and driving as it is to get them to stop drinking and driving! Pretty soon people will need designated drivers for that too!

Great reminder to put that device down and drive responsibly. We hear it all the time, and we tell our loved ones to only drive when behind the wheel. And still people are doing it. What a shame.

Holly, This is certainly a wake-up call for anyone who is not paying attention while driving. Sad but true fact that it can get you killed. What a terrible thing to happen.

Holly Thanks for sharing, I had not heard but, that is such a tragic story! Louisiana cell phone laws just went in to effect this Monday. No more texting/tweeting by a driver.

This is a great! I hope everybody reads it and takes it very seriously. Its such a tragic event that happened.

-Michael

So sad. Good for you Holly for posting this though. If one person stops texting while driving as a result of reading this blog, then you've done a lot more than you could have ever asked for.

What a shame. I also find it akward when a text interrupts a conversation. Somehow, the conversation you are in, is not as important as the one you can text.

Holly - THis is exactly what a lot of test have shown. Texting drivers are more dangerous than drunk drivers by a considerable margin. When they make it a felony with manditory jail time, people might stop.

When will we have mothers against Cell Phones? Never, because they are the worst abusers.

It used to be that if you were behind a car that was weaving across the lanes and moving much slower than the other traffic, you knew that the driver was drunk. Now, 99 times out of 100, it's someone on the phone.

In this case, the victim wasn't answering the phone. He wasn't even talking on the phone. He'd initiated a Tweet . . . about his border collie. While driving on hills/mountains. His death is, of course, regretable. Especially since it appears it was totally avoidable.

Holly - I have been telling myself lately that it can wait, it can wait. It REALLY is hard, but yes, it can wait. Thanks for a very important reminder. Killed by a tweet isn't what I would want on a headstone.

Death by tweet is not very sweet.

It is always someone on the phone or texting....weaving in and out at a snails pace. There should be high fines for texting/emailing/tweeting while driving....I guess this guy paid the ulitimate price.

This is a tragic story and I can only hope that people will wake up and GET OFF THE PHONE! It's not just reading emails, and tweeting, but stop talking while you drive! We have become so addicted to that instant contact. That is what voicemail is for.... call them back when you get a chance.

Excellent share Holly!

Very sad and disappointing :(

Such a tragedy! I've heard of so many accidents because of drivers "tweeting" and/or using their cell phones.

This is insane - and it turns out that not only teenagers or young adults are guilty of doing this.

A few months ago, Car and Driver Magazine did a test in which test drivers were given a couple of drinks before driving through a test course. The same drivers were subjected to the same driving course while texting but without having any alcohol. Of course, their reflexes were better under the influence of alcohol that under the influence of texting. Read this: http://tinyurl.com/2ebcws9

By the way, driving while texting is illegal in the late Dr. Ryan's state of California.

I saw this on the news....very sad....I believe it is like a drug for some....they just can't or won't give it up....this will affect some people short term but they will go right back at it in no time....Do we need mandatory jail time???

Holly: I have been very consious of how I get sucked into texting while driving---I am shocked how often I find myself starting to do it---then I stop! How incredible that the temptation to text while driving seems very similar to what you hear about people who "have to have a drink" or like the person who says "I just had to have that cigarette"...Could it be that the act itself is addictive or that it falls under the category of "addictive behavior"??? Thanks for the sincere and thoughful post....

So Sad. I will reblog. Message must get out.

Holly this is truly such a sad story. We especially need to get this out to our high schoolers, and college kids. I applaud Oprah's challenge too.

Oprah has a no phone zone pledge --- that she is requesting everyone of her famous & not so famous friends to sign. It is sad to hear that Dr. Ryan did not obey the California law.

This one is a reblog for me too. This is so sad and so avoidable. Death by text needs to be eradicated. I can think of nothing on earth that can't wait a couple of minutes till you can pull over or stop your car.

Everyone thinks they can get away with it. No texting, no tweeting - pretty simple.

Thanks Holly. I need to work on not texting and driving.

Holly, you are so right. Thank you for posting. I have a young child and we need to remember them when we just "can't wait" to check something...

GA banned texting while driving last month. After a few weeks to adjust, they are now issuing tickets to those caught.

So if you are calling and texting me and I am not answering now you know why, I am driving. Frankly if someone can't wait a few minutes so be it. This also reminds me of the story on the news about the hearing loss, maybe being so connected is hazardous to ones health.

This is a sad story and I would hope it will serve as a wake up call.

My sympathy to the family.

Holly, great reminder, texting and driving, big DANGEROUS no no. Sad story.

Nice post Holly! Glad you brought this to our attention. This is sooo needed! So sad isn't it.

My husband was driving his entire family today and he was texting while driving. When I chided him not to text and drive, he seemed surprised that it was coming from me.

I have to admit that I use to do it, but have gotten better and will now pull over if I need to get a message to someone.

OK OK.... sometimes I text at a light.

This is an affirmation of a video I saw and posted on Facebook yesterday. It involved people not paying attention while they were driving and the terrible consequences. I have no words for it except to say it is life changing to see it. So should this news be.

While my Border Collie is pretty amazing, I cannot imagine initiating a Tweet about her on a dangerous curvy road. Or any road for that matter. I've texted while driving. And this is another reminder why I shouldn't again! How incredibly sad.

This is really sad, and so avoidable. Take the Oprah Challenge and stop using the phone at all in the car!

I swore off texting/email reading while driving about two months ago. Now I have time to notice how many people are still doing it and how poorly they're negotiating the simplest driving tasks.

Thanks to everyone who has commented on this blog. It really is an important message that we all need to get out--and remember when behind the wheel.

There is really nothing so important that it can't wait!

What a tragic story.

Not surprising, sadly.....when you are driving you need to be concentrating on the road, not the phone/texting or talking.

It happens all the time, unfortunately.

Patricia/Seacoast NH

I'm shocked at how many people text and drive and or talk on the phone (which is distracting as well) They should fine people big time and take their license away, those who live that is

I am amazed by my friends and family who text or email while driving with their children in the car. What do they think their kids will do when they turn 16? We have to show the next generation that it's just not something that we do...

Yeah, it is illegal in CA too. Back in 1999 I got my first Bberry. The big brown one. It was great! And I admit that I have emailed or read emails while driving many many times in the past and still do on occassion. All I can say is use your time wisely. If your eyes need to be on the road... Like when you are really close to a CLIFF!!! or maybe in a school zone!! Use your common sense a little. Stop lights are a good time to catch up when they are red too... You might get a freindly honk, but better than a couple thousand foot drop off a cliff...

Be safe out there and good selling!!!

People have to understand when one is driving, that is all you should be doing, not eating, drinking, smoking, talking on the phone, texting. I saw someone flossing their teeth while driving yesterday..oh my word. People please, you can kill yourself and others...Friends don't let friends tweet, eat, or meet and drive...

thank you for posting this. here in new orleans there isn't even a law regarding talking on your cell phone while driving. There really should be. This was so senseless.

I was thinking the same thing as #23 about Oprah's no phone pledge !

My 19 year old daughter and I were just talking about this yesterday, we both were in agreement that it is a dangerous thing to do. Why risk your life and the life of others, to text or tweet something that can easily be done a few minutes later. Remember when there were no cell phones? It just seemed simpler back then....

Oh my goodness.....what a terrible story. I never tweet while driving but I do have a bad tendency to look at my email. I think I'll be putting my phone in the back seat while driving from now on....

Thanks so much Holly for bringing this up in a post. It's such important advice, and I really have to fight the urge to see who that text or email is from . Maybe you just saved my life!

I never text and drive. It's just not worth it. I know a few people who do, and I just can't see doing that.

They were trying to pass a law here making it illegal, but it didn't pass. I hope they try again.

Great post! Definitely need to reiterate to the rest of us, agents, to take social interaction in proper places.

A few years ago, I read in the newspaper about a toddler who was killed when her parents' Subaru was rear-ended by a SUV. The driver of the SUV was talking on his cell phone. This one really hit home for me because I drive a large pickup and the toddler was my granddaughter's age. I know I am easily distracted, so from that day on I simply said no to talking on the cell phone and driving!

What a reason for which to die! This message cannot be repeated too often. Great post.

I make the car my 'me time'...it's a break from the phone I give to myself everytime I get behind the wheel...if I have negotiations going on I take the time to pull over...I'm a runner and I have to run against the traffic because of cell phones...drivers are constantly driving down the breakdown lane while they screw around with their phones...I have to give them a hand signal to move, or jump out of the way, almost everytime I run...I decided to not be a hypocrite and leave the phone alone in the car.

Holly...

On July 1 2010 texting while driving became illegal in Georgia. I hope that it saves lives.

Thanks for the reminder. I know to leave my phone in my purse, but sometimes don't.

Holly, Very sobering. Thanks for the reminder.

Smartphones have airplane mode. They should also have car mode.

Wow...what a tragic waste. None of us are bullet proof and I hope that is shocks people in to putting the phone down and just DRIVING!

Another reason why I'm not a tweeter!

Holly - I just answered on Jeff's reblog -I am so guilty of this. Not texting but looking briefly at short emails.
Thanks for the reminder. Life is short plus it's the law here in Cal..

I have been handling my phone more often than usually while driving. It used to be a time when I asked myself "If I kill someone while on the phone, will it have been worth it?" Every time I think about touching my phone in the car, I will be asking myself this question again. Thank you for the reminder and I'm very sorry that the Dr. or anyone else lost his/her life over something that could have been avoided.

Thanks for reminding us of the importance of avoiding the phone while driving. Sad to hear the end result.

excellent post!

This is a sad story and just goes to show, no matter how popular or how rich one may be..... It's the small things that can get you.

You are so right - it is not worth my life or someone else's to be talking or texting while driving. I am so guilty of talking while I drive. We've come to think of driving time as "return call time". Gotta quit it!

It takes a death to make people realize the dangers of texting and driving? I think that we need to make a true commitment to stop this from happening. There are laws in many states against talking and texting, but I think that insurance companies need to have policies in place to deny coverage for these types of accidents.

thank you - I will really try to remember this the next time I reach for my phone. I love my dog and maybe the combination of this story and my dog will be the tipping point. Thanks -

Russell #60 has the right idea...technology is there that would automatically disable the text and e-mail features when the car is running...all they have to do is put it in force. I am guilty too.

There has been so much evidence that texting while driving is incredibly dangerous, yet we still hear stories like this. When are people going to stop the insanity. Even the really smart people like the good doctor don't get it. Friends don't let friends text while driving. Stop the damn car if you must text! PLEASE!!

I reached for my phone today after hearing about this surgeon, and after watching Jeff Turner's video...and I thought, "What am I doing?" I will be shutting the phone off in the car from now on. It's just too dangerous - not only do I value my life, I value the lives of others!!!

Hi Holly -- I read the original report but didn't know it involved texting. While I have heard on occasion of both accidents and fatalities, this occurrence really drives home the point that it can truly happen to anyone. I wonder about the safety of phone conversations, as that occurs all the time, but I wonder the impact that has on driving, it seems like the experts are divided, but I'm not totally in the know on talking while driving. I once saw a guy playing a trumpet driving down the interstate. Saw a woman putting mascara on with her eyeball an inch from a visor, another guy (teenager) had his feet out the driver window while driving while his buddy must have been using his feet for the brake/gas. Insanity at its finest.

AUG

2010

Holly, In my wholesale banking days we referred to the Account Executives as "CrackBerry's" because of their need to access their BlackBerry constantly. California law makes it illegal to text while driving...brought on by the commuter train crash that killed so many people. A tragedy...yes. But, also, a needless tragedy. Put the phone down...nothing is that important.

These is a great example of how the car is not one's office. I save tweeting out of the car.

Holly, this is a great reminder to us all. No text is so important that it might cause your death or the death of others. This tragedy did not have to happen. I plan to repeat your post as well.

Texting/Tweeting are just not that important. A plastic surgeon is now dead because of something of little importance.

great post

great reminder of the precious life we have

and how temporary it is

no texting while driving is just common sense.

Holly,

I hope this will serve as a wake up call for many......

Unfortunately people get into the habit and they think "it won't happen to me".

Beats me how people manage to text and drive anyway. Tragic waste of a life in this instance. Hopefully other tweetsters and texters will take note.

Hi Holly. I read about it awhile ago. How sad.

Holly,

Great post and thank you. I see this non-stop with all of my miles on the road driving all over Las Vegas and I actually think it is worse then Drinking and Driving. (To a point of course.) A good friend of mine used to Text and Drive while I was riding and it was downright terrifying until I freaked out on him after he barely avoided another wreck.

No Text or Tweet can't wait wait until the car is parked.. at the very least sitting at a red light. I am so Thankful my daughter is only 7... hopefully by the time she hits the legal driving age that texting and tweeting is no big deal by that time...

Because honesly... it really is no big deal.

I text and tweet in my car all of the time... at red lights, waiting in line, parking lots, etc. NEVER when the car is moving.

Maybe his fame as a Plastic Surgeon to the Stars will help spread the message that texting or tweeting while driving is REALLY STUPID.

Luckily he did not kill somebody else.

That is a sad story, Holly. I can only suspect that Dr. Ryan had achieved his hopes and dreams, and was living a very fulfilled life. My sympathy goes out to his loved ones.

A very sad story. . .too bad he didn't hear about Oprah's no texting while driving campaign

Holly, this is a wise post. This is very sad for his family and loved ones and patients and community.

Great post Holly. As a father of 4, with 3 of them driving, I am very nervous about this trend........Best wishe. Lewis

I read this on a bumper sticker the other day:

Honk if you love Jesus Text if you want to meet Him

After I watched the movie, "Seven Pounds" with Will Smith, it greatly changed my driving and phone habits. That movie put the "fear of God" into me. It's so sad.

Phones should stay in the back seat, in your purse, or pocket, belt, period! Texting,Talking,Dialing, all take our focus off the road. Let's not kid ourselves. There is a reason cell phones use are banned in some states like NY.

A car is for getting from one place to another. It is not an office, game room or social club on wheels.

Please don't drive with a deadly weapon of distraction. Stay safe!

Great blog and pertinent issue.

Our little electronic leashes certainly are addictive... and probably worse than drinking and driving.

My wife and I are always joking around about people texting and driving. I always say that I bet their text message is saying "I am crashing into a tree." Pretty sad that this happened to the poor fellow. People need to put the darn phone down and just drive.

Great reminder!

It is great to see that this post has generated so much interest and discussion. It is a critical issue. I know my husband has gotten mad at me when I have scolded him for checking glancing at email while driving...it is just as bad as texting!

It used to be that other drivers yacking away on the phone and not paying close attention to what they were doing was the most annoying thing, accounting for so many "bad" drivers. Texting has taken it to a new playing field... I mean, your eyes are completely off the road for prolonged periods of time. I never do it. I was passed by a young girl on the interstate yesterday who had to be doing 90mph, and she had her phone on her steering wheel texting away. I sent a little prayer her way!

I never ever text while driving.... never have, never will. Worst case, I pull over. Texting/tweeting drivers have become one of the worst menaces on the road today. Good reminder for all those who still carry the habit!

Touche Alan!

Holly ...thanks for posting this. It is a very sad story with a very strong message.

Thanks Holly, I"m forwarding this to my four teenage, techno addicted kids.

if you have an Android phone you can speak your texts!

I will admit that I do it

but I do it very slowly

Dave

What a sad story but a great reminder of the dangers in texting while driving. Want to know how to stop? Visit http://allstate.com/xthetext

This may sound extreme but I think the time has come to only allow hands free talking while while driving. I'm sick of seeing 'hands free driving'. I myself am guilty. However, my neice was killed in an automobile accident this past spring. She was busy holding the phone to her ear and was distracted. This is an all to common theme now. There need to be laws in place disallowing texting and having a cell phone up to your ear. We can all get the "Borg" implant i.e. bluetooth ear piece.

This is a tragedy! I'm sure if you asked him if that "tweet" were worth his life, he'd answer - not at all! I have young children and I'm amazed at how many of the drivers that I share the road with are texting, talking or reading information on their phones while behind the wheel, and in motion!

Oprah has taken a very strong stand against this, and here is a link to her No Phone Zone page, and resources, including a pledge that you/your family members/teens/etc can sign: http://www.oprah.com/packages/no-phone-zone.html

I have a friend who texts while driving. I am going to send him a link to this article. So sad.

Great post about the dangers of this 'addictive' behavior. I was with someone the other day & couldn't stop looking at their IPhone for 5 minutes! It's actually insulting to the people you are with.

Your blog topic caught my eye as I had heard on the news that this doctor had died but had no idea as to the cause. We all really have to urge our lawmakers to pass laws to prevent texting while driving as it's already caused too many accidents. I know my husband and children occasionally do this and it's very scarey, but won't listen to me!

Thanks Holly from another Holly!

Great Post. I personally never text while driving. I do answer the phone when it rings to find out who it is and what they want quickly, and then explain that i am driving right now and will call them back when get to my destination.

I have never been able to get my head around how a person can take their eyes off the road to text or read texts, it is beyond my comprehension. You never know if someone in front of you is going to brake hard at any given time, someone decide they want to change lanes and come in front of you with a nats ball space without indicating causing you to brake. and the list goes on. Your eyes and concentration needs to be not only on the road in front of you, but all around you for the whole journey.

I used to live in Miami, and can you believe that i have driven past drivers on I-95 who were reading the morning newspaper while driving. I am constantly amazed at peoples behaviour, i think they think they are in bumpers cars and will just bounce off someone if they hit them.

Very sad...and definitely not worth your life...remember when we actually left the house and were unreachable??? Crazy how quickly things have just completely changed due to the internet and mobile phones.

Holly: I know it is very un-Christian of me, but I am more angered than saddened about this. I am sick to death of people being stupid. I hope this is a wake-up call, but I doubt it will be. People tend to think things like this won't happen to them.

I believe in attempted murder charges for those who text while driving.

Texting while driving more dangerous and risky than jaywalking across a freeway. At least the latter is a focused action. I did a couple of texts while driving a year ago, and hardly knew I was driving. Decided it's just a matter of time before a big accident happens--not only to me but maybe to another driver or family.

What a wake up call this is to all of us. Nothing is that importsant that it can't wait for a short while, until you either pull over or get to your destination. What a waste!

It is now illegal to text and drive in Kentucky and I have to say I haven't missed it. In case you didn't catch that, I'm admitting that I was a texting driver. Now, my 10-year-old is my phone co-pilot. If I need to text or get a message, she's at the ready to read it and respond for me so I can keep my eyes on the road. You don't think it can happen to you, but it's a dangerous thing to do.

I could probably find a lot of humor in this, but I realize it is a tragedy for those involved. All I can think of that is similiar is Jim Fixx dying while jogging (He was a jogging guru).

Talking on a cellphone while driving is the same as drunk driving.

That includes using a hands free device.

How many of you drive while talking on a cellphone?

The studies are done but the legislation is probably 5 - 10 years away before ALL cellphone use while driving is illegal.

For all of you that just laughed, remember when wearing seat belts or kids in car seats weren't mandatory?

Pass this video on to young drivers

The only thing worse than killing yourself while texting is killing someone else...and living with it the rest of your life. In most drunken driving accidents, the drunk lives...and that reality got me to quit drinking when I was in my 20s.

Texting while driving must be the most insane behavior ever. I teach performance driving and you NEVER take your eyes off the road. I ride motorcycles, and you NEVER take your eyes off the road and traffic.

I can NOT drive well while I'm on the phone. Period. NO one can. Get off the %^&* phone and drive. Hands-free is not mind-free, and you drive with your eyes and your mind.

Imagine someone in the back seat of your car reaching over your shoulder to put your hand over your eyes. How quickly would bat away that hand? Immediately! Time to bat away phones and texting devices.

Very sad and because of it, I turned off my email alert system on my phone while driving...nothing is that important that it can't wait until I find a safe place...it only takes a second to change peoples lives forever!

They passed a law this year making it illegal to do anything but make a phone call in your car, no texting, tweeting, or whatever else you might do, however . . . how many people really pay attention to a silly little thing like the law. After working for 22 years in a Municipal Court, I can attest that there are those who don't and never will. Hopefully stories like this will sink in and people will be more careful.

Here in NY we you get a ticket if the police see you texting or talking on your cell phone. I use a bluetooth wireless headset and one of my cars is bluetooth enabled so you take right over the radio. Amazing technology today.

Oregon will nab you for talking on a cell phone while driving, so I'm sure texting would be included since it's more hands-intensive!

I am also guilty. Just last month, I was tweeting and WALKING when I tripped on a paver & split my head open. Even with my head stitched up, I am still tempted... it's a nasty habit.

very sad indeed.

"That's too bad, but it won't happen to me." Isn't that what everyone thinks? Driving off a cliff is one thing, but what if he drove over the center lane and took out a family? Wake up people!

To lose your life over a tweet? How very sad.

Sad to hear, but very disconcerting that anyone would feel comfortable texting on a road with a cliff. Certainly that could have waited, just as your post urges!

Thanks Holly for the strong reminder - we all know we do this.

Our condolensences to the family & friends.

AUG

2010

It happened in our area recently as well. A young man crosses the median on a 55 MPH road and kills the oncoming driver. Very sad and scary for all of us.

In my state, a law just passed making it illegal to text or read email while driving, even if you are at a red light. I have become more conscious of my texting while in the car & I pull over if I have to respond to something. This is really sad, and hopefully will bring more light to this subject and stop more people from this dangerous practice.

He's from my town, Toledo, OH and it breaks my heart to hear what caused the crash. I personally think that we've created a monster by having phones that allow us to tweet, text, check facebook, etc. from our phones. How many are going to die because of it? But it's not the phone's fault - it's stupidity in my opinion!

Addictions are addictions, & they can all kill us. So can distractions. Cell phone, when you are supposed to be driving, are both & that is why they can be doubly dangerous.

There are some activities that just shouldn't be performed while with operating a vehicle: drinking (adult beverages), reading, applying make-up, and texting. It's sad he left his common sense at home that day.

Holly, put me down in such total agreement that I'm reblogging. We've GOT to stop this madness. Thanks for such an important post.

I am re blogging this. It's a very important issue that so many of us are not taking seriously. I went for months without doing it, but am guilty of glancing at email while at stoplights lately and this is a big wake up call. It's a slippery slope. First you talk then you glance at email then you text something short, then you are on to tweeting and facebooking then somebody dies.

The temptation to do it is great...but the risks are greater. Thanks for bringing this issue into the light again.

AUG

2010

Hello Holly and this is very sad!

VB ;-)

The fact that he was Heidi's doctor is getting all the publicity...I don't think there could be too much publicity on this subject though. My husband and I witnessed a driver texting today in traffic...we were on our Harley at the time and not feeling too safe riding beside him.

AUG

2010

Just because they're doctors doesn't mean they are above the laws of common sense, immortal, or infallible. Wonder how many tweets he made while holding the scapel in his hand?

I received an email with pictures of an accident after a teenage boy crashed while texting his girlfriend. It was so shocking that I was too scared to send it to my nieces & nephews because of the graphic nature of it. I'm reconsidering now. It shows what we all wonder about - how it really happens/looks: the car crumbled up, the picture of the driver's car seat with blood on the headrest...then finally, the boy's body laying in the street literally cut in half at the waist. The picture shows the top half & bottom half including his innocent teenage face & lower body in his jeans like every other teen. That is reality! If only kids (& adults) could see this picture. I may just have to spread it. It's sad, but better to learn the lesson this way, than have it happen to another person and their family. So unnecessary, and such a waste of a valuable life.

SEP

2010

It is very sad to hear that anyone dies like this, but I firmly believe that texting and even dialing the phone distracts even the most adept drivers! It has been many, many years since I have driven after drinking too much but texting distracts you from the road even more than being intoxicated! I just wish instead of just stealing $$$ from people with high fines they would make you pay the $$$ to watch training films of the results of some of these accidents! Not all of those killed are texters but people who they hit head-on while they are distracted.

JUN

Thanks for bringing this to ligh in the ActiveRain community. I'm sure that far too many Realtors are guilty of doing way too many things behind the wheel of a car that they shouldn't be. We all need to be more careful.

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Holly Weatherwax--Your Realtor® in Northern VA

Reston, VA

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Momentum Realty,LLC

Address: Reston,Herndon,Great Falls, Vienna, Oakton, Oak Hill, Falls Church, Sterling, Potomac Falls, McLean,Chantilly, Leesburg, Ashburn, Reston, VA

Office Phone: (571) 643-4902

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