Woman dies in head-on collision seconds after posting selfie of herself on Facebook

the culture of deference

Hopefully this story will make people think twice about phone use and driving in this country, but after watching so many people glued to their phones driving around this week even with the Gardai warnings in place we need further constant enforcement.


A woman has died in a head-on collision on a US highway just seconds after she posted selfies and updated her status on Facebook, police have said.





At 8.33am on Thursday a post appeared on 32-year-old Courtney Sanford’s Facebook timeline which read: “The happy song makes me so HAPPY.” At 8.34am police were called to reports of a crash.

Officers said Ms Sanford was alone in her car when it crossed the central reservation, crashed into a recycling truck and burst into flames, forcing the other vehicle off the road.

She was on her way to work along Interstate 85 in North Carolina at the time, and police said they found no evidence that drink, drugs or speed were factors in the collision.
The link to Facebook only emerged this weekend after friends of Ms Sanford came forward to tell police that a number of her posts online appeared to come from a similar time to the incident itself.

High Point Police Department spokesperson Lt Chris Weisner told the WGHP TV station that the crash was a real-life public service advert “showing what happens when you text and drive”.
Lt Weisner said that as well as the status update seconds before the crash, evidence from Ms Sanford’s social media profiles showed she had also been taking pictures of herself while on the highway.

“In a matter of seconds, a life was over just so she could notify some friends that she was happy. It’s really not worth it,” he said.
“As sad as it is, it is also a grim reminder for everyone… you just have to pay attention while you are in the car.”
Police said that the truck was being driven by 73-year-old John Wallace Thompson, who walked away unharmed.


North Carolina driving laws

Cell Phones and Texting

Cell phone restrictions:

All drivers under 18 are banned from using cell phones while driving. Dialing 911 in the case of an emergency is the lone exception.
School bus drivers are prohibited from using cell phones.

Texting restrictions:

All drivers are banned from texting while behind the wheel.

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/woman-dies-in-headon-collision-seconds-after-posting-selfie-of-herself-on-facebook-30222321.html

Kenny Logins

Died for 10 likes.

Renegade Mechanic

Christ almighty. Ive often joked about it but seeing people actually doing it like this really makes me wonder about it. What goes through someones head? What thought process is involved that generates the twisted perception of reality in which this is a good idea? Hard to feel sorry for her, do something like this and you are just begging for trouble. Must be hard on the family though.

joujoujou

the culture of deference wrote: »

Hopefully this story will make people think twice about phone use and driving in this country [...]

Unfortunately it won't.