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For those of us waiting to see if charges will be filed in the wreck that killed motorcyclist Anita Zaffke this weekend, we might be waiting a while. The driver of the car that slammed into Zaffke - who was stopping at a yellow light - was distracted because she was painting her nails. Today, the Tribune takes an interesting look at the development of laws (and lack thereof) in the state of Illinois pertaining to accidents caused by such "distractions."
The wreck Saturday raises questions that have been fiercely debated in Illinois about whether a momentary distraction amounts to criminal behavior, comparable to drunken driving. In the crash that killed motorcyclist Anita Zaffke, 56, of Lake Zurich, Lora L. Hunt, 48, of Morris was ticketed by the Lake County sheriff's police with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Prosecutors say it may be a month before they decide whether to bring additional charges."We are looking into charges in the case," Assistant State's Atty. Patricia Fix said. "But we are waiting for results of blood and urine tests and waiting for the results of an accident reconstruction, as well as any other technical evidence we can derive from the scene."
The Trib also talks to State Rep. William Black (Danville) about a proposed law of his that, if passed, would require prison time, a $25,000 fine, and a one-year revocation of a drivers license for distracted drivers who cause deaths.
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I'm a motorcyclist and it pisses me off to hear about this completely avoidable tragedy. But I'm also a motorist and I know that I'm not always 100% focused on driving when I'm behind the wheel (or behind the handlebars for that matter).
No one is disputing that drunken driving is a criminal offense. Personally, I think that grossly negligent behavior like painting your fingernails or reading the paper should also be criminal. However, what if you're momentarily distracted by the kids in the back seat or that gorgeous blond on the sidewalk?
The really horrible answer is that when you're behind the wheel everything you do has the potential to permanently alter your life, the lives of your passengers and the lives of total strangers. I'm sure Ms. Hunt feels horrible about what happened, but is that enough? Would it be enough if the "distraction" had been a toddler in the back seat or a cellphone call?
So the real difficulty is impressing upon people -- which may very well be different than passing legislation -- that their actions can have lasting effects and that when driving the best course of action is to focus as much of their attention on the road as possible. Even then accidents will still happen, but at least the survivors won't be left wondering "what if?"
I'm not going to pretend that I know where the line should be drawn, but I doubt that anybody else does either.
Hitting someone while painting your nails is really no different than hitting someone while momentarily distracted because you're putting your coffee back in the cupholder or changing the radio.
I think one solution lies in how we license people to begin with. It's crazy when you stop and think that we let kids that are 16 get behind the wheel and have every privilege of the road that an adult has. Letting minors get behind the wheel and learn poor lessons doesn't help matters.
I don't know what prison time is going to do here. Certainty of punishment would help matters, but it's got to be there for every distraction-while-driving accident.
Surprised this does not happen more often. I followed a guy the other morning on I88 "driving" (more like weaving) while talking on the cell, drinking coffee and blowing smoke out the window. I gave him plenty of space and cursed that my boss strongly prefers we not work from home.
Why has this driver's name not been released? I'm guessing this woman either has ties or money or both. There is no excuse not to publicly expose this murderer.
Lora L. Hunt, 48, of Morris
should be in jail, then she could paint whatever she wants with all that time she'll have. I'm astounded that this is a topic of debate. It seems pretty clear this lady was negligent and therefore should be punished. At the very least, her license should be revoked and then she can get a first hand account of what it's like to deal with assholes behind the wheel while she's trying to pedal to work. Or in this case, just be exposed on a vehicle that does not weigh 4000 lbs.
From Clark, above: "The really horrible answer is that when you're behind the wheel everything you do has the potential to permanently alter your life, the lives of your passengers and the lives of total strangers."
Very well stated. And endangering others is an expected consequence of doing one's nails while driving. It would be unbelievable if she NOT run into someone.
Reports said that the deceased was pushed hundreds of feet from a dead stop, meaning this woman was going pretty fast when she hit her. This isn't a case of momentary distraction, she wasn't paying any attention at all.
I was rear ended a little over a year ago. I was in my car at a red light. It was a stop after getting off the expressway ramp.
Just sitting there looking at the light waiting for it to change when BAM! It was an old guy in a van behind me, and I didn't know til I got out that a young guy smashed into him-the old guy, so he was actually sandwiched.
Same thing pretty much...this kid was flying in off the ramp and totally not paying attention to the fact that he was coming to an intersection where cares were stopped at a red light...all three cars were pretty smashed up and I was so sore the next day.
My teeth smashed together and I can remember feeling bits of either tooth or filling in my mouth and then a few months later a part of one of my molars just chipped right off!
I cannot even imagine if I were sitting there on a motorcycle, totally exposed and getting hit from behind like that. I will never understand why so many don't take driving seriously. I cannot stand it when I see people, while driving, doing things like applying makeup, chatting on the cell, etc. etc.
Not even a story like this will change that behavior though. I am so paranoid now...when ever I come to a stop, I'm always looking into my rearview mirror to make sure the person behind me is slowing down and I check to make sure i have room to swerve to my left or right.
That last bit is a good tip, though it won't help you in situations where you just don't have time to react. (I doubt there's anything the woman on the motorcycle could have done.) When you come to a stoplight, don't pull up right to the bumper of the car in front of you. Leave some space, so you have room to move if you need to.
So May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. Whooptee Friggin' Doo. Some of the names will change, but expect the same old hollow proclamations, pointless pronouncements and self-serving photo ops ... the same clueless cub reporting confusing "motorcycle awareness" (the cause) with "motorcycle safety" (the commodity) ... and when all the hoopla is history, yet another annualized increase in the number of responsible motorcycle riders left dead and dying on the side of the road, their tickets punched by care-less motorists whose cell phone calls, texting and other discretionary distractions take precedence over paying attention to their driving. And why should we expect otherwise, when the cost of maiming or even killing a biker in America is often no more than what you'll pay to beat a speeding ticket?
More at tinyurl[dot]com/motorcycleawarenesswhitewash