Posted by: Salvatore J. Zambri, founding member and senior partner
For those of you following my blog, you know that I give presentations at schools to faculty, parents and students about the dangers of distracted driving. Historically, I have given those presentations at Middle and high schools. Last week, I gave a presentation at an area elementary school. You may be thinking, “Why give a presentation at a school that teaches such young children, kids who won’t be driving for a very long time?” I was wondering about the wisdom of such a presentation too. What I found out, however, is that elementary schools are a perfect place to start talking about the distracted driving crisis.
One of the most significant problems fueling the crisis is parent/caregiver conduct. Young children witness their parents and caregivers driving while using a cell phone or even texting. Kids start to see this conduct as acceptable and, even worse, safe. By the time they reach driving age, they are indoctrinated with the thought that driving while using distracting devices is appropriate. If my parents have done it for so long, it must be ok. What’s all the fuss about?
The fuss is about millions of people being severely injured and killed from distracted driving. It’s about the multitude of lives that can be devastatingly changed in a moment from someone’s carelessness. Perhaps I learned more than those I spoke to about unsafe driving practices last week. I know this: I need to speak to more elementary school parents in our community about their behavior, and about how to teach their kids–their young kids–about the deadly consequences of distracted driving.
Please drive safely, and put the phone down. Better yet, shut it off. It will turn back on when you get to your destination. I promise.
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About the author:
Mr. Zambri is a board-certified civil trial attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocates and a Past-President of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. He has been rated by Washingtonian magazine as a “Big Gun” and among the “top 1%” of all lawyers in the Washington metropolitan area. The magazine also describes him as “one of Washington’s best–most honest and effective lawyers” who specializes in personal injury matters, including automobile accident claims, premises liability, product liability, medical malpractice, and work-accident claims. He has successfully litigated multiple cases against truck and bus companies, the Washington Metropolitan Area transit Authority, and other automobile owners. His law firm, in fact, has obtained the largest settlement ever in a personal injury case involving WMATA. Mr. Zambri has also been acknowledged as one of “The Best Lawyers in America” by Best Lawyers (2011 edition) and has been repeatedly named a “Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyer magazine (March/April 2010)– national publications that honor the top lawyers in America.
If you have any questions about your legal rights, please email Mr. Zambri at [email protected] or call him at 202-822-1899.