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Texting Driver Crashes Into Cop Car

by Caleb Johnson on October 16, 2009 at 09:27 AM


By now, we're all aware of how dangerous it is to text while driving. But, like children who just can't resist touching a hot stove, people continue to do it. While a car accident is never good, some are worse than others. For example, crashing into a parked cop car because you were texting is about as bad as it gets. That's just what happened late Wednesday night to one unfortunate, or just dumb, Rhode Island man.

According to The Providence Journal, David Mercer crashed his Jeep into a police car that had been parked on the highway in order to divert traffic around a wreck farther up the road. Mercer claimed that he didn't see the empty idling car, despite its flashing blue lights, because he was text messaging. Thankfully, no one was injured, and, lucky for Mercer, texting while driving hasn't been banned in Rhode Island (although it has been in several other states). That being the case, he won't face any criminal charges stemming from the accident. According to the Journal, he was cited with "failure to maintain control of his vehicle, obedience to devices, and no insurance," none of which are criminal charges.

If this story sounds familiar, it's because an Idaho man made the same bonehead mistake earlier this year. This all begs the question: what's the over/under on how many times this happens before there's a nationwide ban? Hold on, we're checking with our guy in Vegas now. [From: The Providence Journal]

Tags: car, cellphone, driving, dwt, police, stupid, texting, texting while driving, TextingWhileDriving, top

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