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Douglas R. Horn founded The Horn Law Firm in Independence in 1990.
Horn is a member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, the American Association of Justice and the Governors Highway Safety Association. The Horn Law Firm (www.hornlaw.com), is located at 19049 Valley View Parkway, Suite J in Independence, 64055.
1 You recently attended the Distracted Driving Summit in Washington D.C., which was organized by the Department of Transportation. What inspired you to attend this conference and what did you learn there? I am a frequent radio commentator who discusses the impact of Missouri's texting ban law, which became effective August 28, and offers ideas to curb distracted drivers. This prompted a U.S. Department of Transportation official to invite me to the Summit in my role as a highway safety attorney. ...The solutions to the growing problem of distracted driving will require a combination of legal, technological and public education efforts. And, while distracted driving laws are necessary, those laws must be comprehensive and carry a stiff penalty. I also learned that law enforcement officials are confident that if laws are enacted, they will be able to enforce them.
2 You are a proponent of the ALERT Drivers Act of 2009. What is that, and why do you this is a good thing for the country?
The ALERT Act essentially forces states to outlaw texting while driving or lose 25 percent of their federal highway funds. Texting while driving is a national highway safety concern, and the federal government has a responsibility to ensure public safety. Without the financial incentive inherent in the ALERT Act, many states will likely follow Missouri's lead and pass a limited law that will be ineffective. Many have criticized the Missouri law as inadequately addressing the problem, because it only bans texting while driving for those age 21 and younger.
3 If you believe stronger legislation is needed, where do you draw the line from texting, to just talking on the phone, to working the navigation systems in the car, to even trying to eat a hamburger while driving, all of which can be distracting?
Although there are many forms of distracted driving, we must take action against those multi-tasking behaviors that are most likely to lead to accidents. Studies have shown that the texting driver is 23 times more likely to cause a collision. By contrast, the driver on the cell phone is four times more likely to be involved in a crash. Many national experts and analysts believe that texting while driving is even more dangerous than drunk driving. The bottom line is that texting while driving creates a whole new universe of risk that must be addressed.
4 Do you plan to stay active in this cause in the future and if so, how?
I will be working to increase public awareness of the dangers of electronic messaging while driving and lobbying our lawmakers for a more comprehensive distracted driving law. In the private sector, I expect to assist the National Safety Council in encouraging companies to enact policies that prohibit electronic messaging by employees who are driving on the job.
5 We recently had a story about the top 10 irritations on the road that drives people mad. What irritates you the most out on the roads and highways?
I used to be irritated by the erratic behaviors of inattentive drivers. Now, my irritation has turned to fear, as you never know what to expect from a driver who is distracted by electronic devices.
Douglas R. Horn founded The Horn Law Firm in Independence in 1990.
Horn is a member of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association, the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, the American Association of Justice and the Governors Highway Safety Association. The Horn Law Firm (www.hornlaw.com), is located at 19049 Valley View Parkway, Suite J in Independence, 64055.
1 You recently attended the Distracted Driving Summit in Washington D.C., which was organized by the Department of Transportation. What inspired you to attend this conference and what did you learn there? I am a frequent radio commentator who discusses the impact of Missouri's texting ban law, which became effective August 28, and offers ideas to curb distracted drivers. This prompted a U.S. Department of Transportation official to invite me to the Summit in my role as a highway safety attorney. ...The solutions to the growing problem of distracted driving will require a combination of legal, technological and public education efforts. And, while distracted driving laws are necessary, those laws must be comprehensive and carry a stiff penalty. I also learned that law enforcement officials are confident that if laws are enacted, they will be able to enforce them.
2 You are a proponent of the ALERT Drivers Act of 2009. What is that, and why do you this is a good thing for the country?
The ALERT Act essentially forces states to outlaw texting while driving or lose 25 percent of their federal highway funds. Texting while driving is a national highway safety concern, and the federal government has a responsibility to ensure public safety. Without the financial incentive inherent in the ALERT Act, many states will likely follow Missouri's lead and pass a limited law that will be ineffective. Many have criticized the Missouri law as inadequately addressing the problem, because it only bans texting while driving for those age 21 and younger.
3 If you believe stronger legislation is needed, where do you draw the line from texting, to just talking on the phone, to working the navigation systems in the car, to even trying to eat a hamburger while driving, all of which can be distracting?
Although there are many forms of distracted driving, we must take action against those multi-tasking behaviors that are most likely to lead to accidents. Studies have shown that the texting driver is 23 times more likely to cause a collision. By contrast, the driver on the cell phone is four times more likely to be involved in a crash. Many national experts and analysts believe that texting while driving is even more dangerous than drunk driving. The bottom line is that texting while driving creates a whole new universe of risk that must be addressed.
4 Do you plan to stay active in this cause in the future and if so, how?
I will be working to increase public awareness of the dangers of electronic messaging while driving and lobbying our lawmakers for a more comprehensive distracted driving law. In the private sector, I expect to assist the National Safety Council in encouraging companies to enact policies that prohibit electronic messaging by employees who are driving on the job.
5 We recently had a story about the top 10 irritations on the road that drives people mad. What irritates you the most out on the roads and highways?
I used to be irritated by the erratic behaviors of inattentive drivers. Now, my irritation has turned to fear, as you never know what to expect from a driver who is distracted by electronic devices.
