Families and Technology

This is a blog where we talk about technology and its effects on families, individuals, our children, and our society. We explore where it's helpful, and when it's harmful. Speak up with your comments. Share your ideas.

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Texting Teen Kills Bicyclist

Teen hit, killed man while text messaging (Indy Star)

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colorado -- A 17-year-old Colorado youth likely will face misdemeanour charges after allegedly losing control of his car while text-messaging and hitting a bicyclist.

The bicyclist, Jim Price of Highlands Ranch, died Friday, two days after the accident.

"The investigation showed that he was text-messaging on his cellphone" at the time of the accident, said Lieut. Alan Stanton, spokesman for Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

The driver could face a charge of careless driving resulting in death, Stanton said. Under state law, the teen could face up to a year in prison.

Here are some related posts on the other problems that a simple cell phone can introduce:

School Welcomes Distractions and Problems of Cell Phones, Technology Misuse Leads to Increased Harassment, Cyberbullying 101

UPDATE: A related post at Question Technology about hanging up and driving.

posted by Mark Sicignano Permalink    

2 Comments:

  • At 10:36 AM, brettdl said…

    Oh man, oh man. How horrible. And when I commute to work I see people reading the newspaper on their steering wheel!

     

  • At 3:16 PM, Lady Wyntir said…

    i'm horrified at the lack of concentration given to driving. For environmental, sentimental, and safety reasons, i take mass transit - and i'm thankful it runs well enough to be reliable.

    It's really sad when someone needs a wakeup call like this to get off the phone!

     

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