Lauren Owens, driving a Nissan Pathfinder, slammed into an Albany Police car at 2:30 in the morning on New Year’s Day. Owens was found to be texting and driving when she hit the car. Officer Garnet Lincey was injured and taken to the hospital. Owens is now facing charges of failure to maintain lane, texting and driving, and not having her license.
Albany Police Department stated, “It is against the law to text and drive in the state of Georgia and this clearly shows the potential danger that that could cause. If you could just wait a few seconds to either read or send a text you may save someone’s life.”
Distracted driving is very dangerous and the use of texting and cellphones can make drivers even more unaware of their surroundings. About 6,000 deaths and a half a million injuries are caused by distracted drivers every year. Your life and others lives are much more important than any message you could send or receive. Make an effort to put your cell phone out of reach when you are driving and make a conscious effort to keep your eyes focused on the road and your surroundings.
You can make a pledge to drive phone free at www.distraction.gov.