Document text
3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Rancher killed in standoff vowed to die before going to jail ... OSU-Cascades buys pumice mine property for expansion ... Hunter allegedly shot man fleeing crime ... Rancher killed in standoff vowed to die before going to jail ... OSU-Cascades buys pumice mine property for expansion ... Hunter allegedly shot man fleeing crime ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Putting crashed cars on display not easy Reader wants wrecked car to warn of texting dangers A reader wonders if a crashed car could be put on display to warn people about the dangers of cell phone use and texting. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 11, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Oct. 11, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Years ago, a crashed vehicle was put on the corner of the Rogue Valley Mall. This car was the result of drunk driving. Possibly, we need to profile a crashed car that is the result of cell phone use or texting. Visual aids are needed to stop this use. Every trip to Medford, I see people on their cell phones or texting. Each is an accident waiting to happen. — Judy, Talent While a crashed car on display would certainly send a strong message, it's not easy to get such a vehicle, according to Nick Watt, president of the Southern Oregon Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. "You need the insurance company to release it and for the case to be completely adjudicated because the vehicle is evidence," Watt said. "I'm not sure how you could get a vehicle that was involved in a texting crash other than to contact local insurance companies and see if there is one in the area that is available." He said crashed vehicles from DUII wrecks are stored in the impound lots of towing companies and law enforcement agencies while cases wind their way through the courts. Drivers involved in collisions can face criminal charges and also civil lawsuits from injured or killed passengers and fellow motorists. MADD's local chapter has a vehicle that it puts on display around the Rogue Valley, but the aging vehicle is in storage at Dick's Towing & Transport in Medford. It was involved in a drunk-driving crash in which three people were killed and another was left wheelchair-bound, Watt said. "Ours is getting shop-worn," he said. "It's a long string of things that has to happen to get a vehicle." Watt said caution must also be used to make sure the crashed vehicle actually represents what an organization is campaigning against, whether it be driving while intoxicated, making a cell phone call or texting. He said crashed vehicles on display do attract attention. MADD's wrecked vehicle was most recently placed at a Grants Pass gas station. "A lot of people pulled into the service station to look at it. Some people got upset seeing it and were saying it shouldn't be put out there," Watt said. "Unfortunately, that's what happens when people drink and drive." Oregon law prohibits texting while driving and the use of handheld cell phones while driving. To see a powerful video showing the aftermath of a texting wreck in which a teen girl lost an eye and was left disfigured and brain damaged, visit abcnews.go.com/Technology/video/teens-distracted-driving-29890640. The Stop Texts Stop Wrecks organization offers these tips to avoid texting temptation: Designate a passenger to send text messages and phone calls. Silence your phone before driving so you don't hear incoming calls and texts. Download an app that blocks cell phone use while driving. Put your phone out of sight and where you cannot reach it. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected] . To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 11, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501