Kevin Weis Works To End Distracted Driving
Kevin Weis, a personal injury lawyer with Goldberg Simpson, recently hosted a presentation titled “End Distracted Driving” at St. Xavier High School in Louisville, KY for students and school staff. The goal of the presentation was to help people change the way they think about Distracted Driving. Weis says it’s a message that should take on heightened awareness during the summer months.
“As we approach Memorial Day and the 4th of July, we see more and more messages about not drinking and driving, and that’s good. But the fact is, more people are victims of distracted driving today than drunk driving,” said Weis. “It’s important both messages should be heard.”
The presentation included a connection between the decisions drivers make while driving, the rationale drivers use to make those decisions, and the science behind what can take place as a result. For example, it only takes on average four seconds to read a text, but a car traveling 55 MPH can travel hundreds of feet in that time, coming into the path of everything from animals to pedestrians to other vehicles. The presentation also identified a number of people whose lives have been changed by distracted driving incidents, including the story of Casey Feldman who was killed while legally crossing a street in a crosswalk. This led to the creation of the Casey Feldman Foundation that has a goal of changing attitudes about Distracted Driving.
Weis’ job has played a big role in his decision to be active on this subject. As a personal injury and wrongful death lawyer he regularly sees the devastating consequences of Distracted Driving. But he also sees it as an opportunity.
“I think we can make a real difference,” said Weis. “In the same way society finally changed attitudes about driving while intoxicated, we can help change behavior around this subject. And while it something everyone should embrace, we think starting with students will have the greatest impact in the long run.”
Weis and his trial lawyers association group, Kentucky Justice Association, will be putting on additional presentations. As school winds down they will be focusing on presentations in conjunction with proms. But they won’t stop there.
“I’m actively looking for opportunities at schools – or any other organization that has interest in stopping Distracted Driving,” Weis concluded.