I first learned about Anita Zaffke in our forum, which reported a news item about a helmeted and conspicuously clad motorcyclist who was rear-ended and killed while waiting at a red light. Driver Lora Hunt's excuse for the collision? She was painting her nails as she approached the intersection.
Adding insult to injury, Hunt's attorney asserted during arraignment that it's not illegal to do your nails while driving. Hunt was initially ticketed for "failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident" according to this AMA report, but the crash is still being investigated and a court appearance isn't expected until mid-September, at the earliest.
Anita's son Greg has since brought attention to his mother's untimely death by founding the Black Nail Brigade, named after Greg's decision to pain his nails black in order to signify the senselessness of his mother's death. Greg's organization seeks to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, and he told me in an email that he and his father will be attending the Sturgis Rally next week from August 3-9 in order to spread the word about the circumstances of his mother's death. "Hopefully that alone will save some lives by getting people to think when they drive," he said. "But we are also hoping it will bolster more support in the coming months as we plan to have a massive silent protest at the first court date whether it's for a re-instated traffic ticket or reckless homicide."
The dangers of distracted driving may have already been publicized ad nauseam, but it's a shame people like Greg Zaffke have to endure permanent loss due to another person's lack of personal responsibility. To find out more about how you can help, go to blacknailbrigade.org.
Sources: American Motorcyclist Association, Chicago BreakingNews, NY Times
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Photo © Julie Monacella, courtesy AMA; Click to enlarge
The idea that any jurisdiction has to make cell phones illegal while driving, much less texting while driving, is ludicrous on a level that defies comprehension.
Hoe many of us have been pulled out in front, or cut off by some axxhxxx with a cell phone stuck in his or her ear?
Ontario will be the 3rd province in Canada to make cell phone operation while driving a car illegal.
Good on them – about friggin’ time! The problem however, is one of enforcement. It can’t be a whole lot different in most big cities in the States…the police here barely have the time or resources to ticket red light runners, let alone tailgaters, and every other infraction.
What a shame there’s no law against felony stupid.
Perfect solution….outlaw cars. Who’s got the time or the extra hands on a bike to yap on a cell – never mind text?
I hate overreaching government, but if you are driving a vehicle on public roads you a must be subject to some laws of common sense. An automobile or truck is a several thousand pound vehicle projectile that needs to be controlled by someone who is 100% focused. Hunt needs to be punished by the court because someone so selfish and ignorant will never feel sufficient guilt.
Here in beautiful Long Island New York we not only have the cell phone distraction, but reading the newspaper, applying makeup while smoking, drinking coffee and trying to go from A to B as fast as possable. The level of severe accidents is rapidly increasing. I can only hope that they step up enforcement and start confiscating cars after repeated offenses
Driver’s get away with vehicular homicide in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Calcasieu Parish!
our son was killed by a woman who failed to respect the Right of Way law. She came off the interstate, stopped, darted in from on a car in the right lane. she says she did not see him in the left lane. Matthew was a nurse, a son, a brother, a Mason and a Shriner Clown. He was a sweet, good person, and a Biker. She says he was speeding. The witness said he had plenty of time to pass her, but the person who caused the crash pulled out in front of her, and Matthew, who was an experienced biker layed his bike down in hopes to avoid crashing. His entire family is destroyed…we cannot live with the loss of him, but she has not even recieved a ticket. Even tho there is a specific law in Louisiana that covers ROW, the officer chose not to issue a ticket. anyway, bikers in Louisiana, beware of getting hit in Calcasiue parish.
Personally I don’t feel as if 5 years is enough punishment for the taking of another innocent persons life. It was pure neglect…