By Matt Richtel – NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE<\/p>\n
LOGAN, Utah \u2014 In most states, if somebody is texting behind the wheel and causes a crash that injures or kills someone, the penalty can be as light as a fine.<\/p>\n
Utah is much tougher.<\/p>\n
After a crash that killed two scientists \u2014 and prompted a dogged investigation by a police officer and local victims’ advocate \u2014 Utah passed the nation’s toughest law to crack down on texting behind the wheel. Offenders now face up to 15 years in prison.<\/p>\n
The law, which took effect in May, penalizes a texting driver who causes a fatality as harshly as a drunken driver who kills someone. In effect, a crash caused by such a multitasking motorist is no longer considered an \u201caccident\u201d like one caused by a driver who, say, runs into another car because he nodded off at the wheel. Instead, such a crash would now be considered inherently reckless.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s a willful act,\u201d said Lyle Hillyard, a Republican state senator and a supporter of the new measure. \u201cIf you choose to drink and drive or if you choose to text and drive, you’re assuming the same risk.\u201d By Matt Richtel – NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE LOGAN, Utah \u2014 In most states, if somebody is texting behind the wheel and causes a crash that injures or kills someone, the penalty can be as light as a fine. Utah is much tougher. After a crash that killed two scientists \u2014 and prompted a … <\/p>\n
\n
\n…
\nhttps:\/\/www3.signonsandiego.com\/stories\/2009\/aug\/29\/utah-comes-down-hard-drivers-who-text\/?uniontrib<\/a>oldId.2009083011145452<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"