Text-Messaging Tragedy Leads to Legislative Triumph in Georgia
As of July 1, 2010, Caleb's Law bans all Georgia drivers from using cell phones for any communication other than verbal conversation.

December 06, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The future was ripe with possibilities for 18-year-old Caleb Sorohan, that is until a fateful December day in 2009. A recent graduate of Morgan County High School, Sorohan was killed in a car accident that authorities revealed after investigation, he himself caused.

While driving through Hard labor Creek State Park in Rutledge, Georgia, Sorohan's car crossed the centerline and collided head on with an SUV pulling a horse trailer. The other driver was injured in the car accident, but Sorohan died with a phone in his lap. He had been texting while driving.

Though grief-stricken, Sorohan's family and friends decided take action to prevent more needless tragedies from occurring. Together they teamed up with Senator Jack Murphy (R-Cumming) to create and lobby for SB 360, also known as the Caleb Sorohan Act for Saving Lives by Preventing Texting While Driving. Within just six months of Sorohan's death, the bill was unanimously passed in the Senate, moved through the House and was signed into law by Governor Sonny Perdue.

In summary, as of July 1, 2010, Caleb's Law banned all drivers from using cell phones for any communication other than verbal conversation. First offenders receive a $150 fine and repeat offenders face additional punitive actions. Believing that no text message is worth dying for, lawmakers and Sorohan's family and friends hope the law will cause drivers to reconsider their actions when tempted to text behind the wheel.

Not Just a Georgia Problem, Texting While Driving is a National Problem

In the United States, text messaging and other forms of distracted driving have become an epidemic among drivers of all ages. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly a half-million injuries and more than 5,000 deaths were reported in 2009 due to distracted driving motor vehicle accidents.

Many states, such as Georgia, are taking measures to ban texting while behind the wheel. Additionally, the federal government has launched initiatives to reduce distracted driving such as distraction.gov and has collaborated with other organizations to develop prevention programs for schools and communities.

Celebrities have also become involved in the fight against distracted driving. Oprah Winfrey launched the "No Phone Zone" campaign encouraging drivers to take a pledge to drive responsibly. Further, car manufacturers are including hands-free technology in newer vehicles and phone manufacturers are creating features to disable text-messaging features while cars are in motion.

Only time will reveal whether Caleb's Law and other anti-texting measures are effective in reducing the number of injuries and deaths due to distracted driving. If you've been in a car accident that was caused by a distracted driver, an experienced car accident attorney in your area can help you understand your options.

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