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Hebron Collision Center Shows What Can Happen if You Drive Distracted
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Licking County, OH- If you have driven past Crawford Collison and Service on Rt. 37 in Hebron you have probably noticed the smashed car sitting out on display in front. The car has had small letters on the side of it saying, “don’t text and drive”. Recently, the Licking County Safe Communities Coalition took a banner to the shop to put up next to the car making a bolder statement to everyone who drives by. But what is the story behind the car? From the looks of the car damage, it seems unlikely a person would survive.
In November of 2013, the Crawford’s niece crashed her car on Price Road after leaving CTEC. “She was distracted by her phone,” said Kacy Crawford, owner of Crawford Collision and Service. “We are not sure if it was texting, but her phone was in her hand.”
She was traveling about 65mph in a 35mph zone. “She was not paying attention and did not realize how fast she was going,” said Lori Crawford, wife of Kacy Crawford. She went straight off the road and into a tree that pushed the engine up into the driver seat crushing her feet. Fortunately, she was wearing a seat belt and survived the crash. “If she had not been wearing a seat belt that day, I do not think she would have made it,” added Kacy. Their niece, who was 18 years old at the time, broke her ankle, which was wedged between the brake and gas pedal, and had a severely bruised elbow and face. She had to have surgery on her ankle a year later to remove the rods and pins that were put into it after the crash.
Kacy put the car out on display to show what happens as a result of driving distracted. “People do not think it will ever happen to them. She never thought it would happen to her, until it did,” said Kacy. “We see parents stop all the time with their kids to show them the car to take pictures and thank us.”
Distracted driving statistics portray a grim picture. In 2014, an estimated 3,179 people were killed (10% of all crash fatalities) and an additional 431,000 were injured (18% of all crash injuries) in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.
From April 8 to 13, 2016, law enforcement personnel will be using a combination of traditional and innovative strategies nationwide to crack down on motorists who text while driving. Licking County law enforcement agencies are already making plans. The objectives of the national high-visibility enforcement U Drive. U Text. U Pay. campaign are to conduct intense enforcement of anti-texting laws, and couple the efforts with advertising, media, and social media outreach to let drivers know about the enforcement and convince them to obey the law.
The story from the Crawford’s has a happy ending because their niece got a second chance, but not everyone will get that. The Crawford’s are trying to share the important message of not driving distracted so hopefully, no one will end up in their niece’s situation or worse. She was lucky to be wearing her seat belt that day, which could have very well helped to save her life.
When you get in the car, make the decision to just drive. Get rid of all or any potential distractions before you start driving. Make putting your seat belt on automatic every time you get in the car. You never know if you’ll get another chance.
“She got very lucky,” said Kacy. “She did learn a lesson, that is for sure,” added his wife Lori.
To learn more about distracted driving, please visit www.distraction.gov
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