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Drowsy driving bill gets heard on Beacon Hill |
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BOSTON, October 3, 2005 - The Committee on Transportation held a public hearing on SB 2124 - An Act Relative to Drowsy Driving sponsored by Senator Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge) Thursday. “Drowsy driving has been called ‘silent tragedy,’” said Moore. “We can no longer, as a society, remain silent! It causes too many preventable deaths and injuries, and cost millions of dollars in property damage and loss. Those who complain about the high cost of auto insurance need to focus on the causes, and the drowsy driving is a significant cause.” Among the invitees who testified along side Senator Moore is Amy Huther who flew up from the Nation’s capital to share with the Committee the tragedy that she suffered. “Because of a drowsy driver, our wedding plans changed to funeral plans,” said Huther. “Groomsmen became pall bearers and instead of walking down the aisle on the arm of my father in a white gown, I wore a black dress and was assisted down the aisle by Command Sergeant Major Joseph Scunziano, Rob’s best friend and best man. Instead of a proud and happy groom waiting at the altar with open arms, I was met by a flag draped coffin. Two days before our wedding, I buried my groom in the uniform that he purchased to wear at our wedding and the wedding ring that he chose to represent our love. Eight and a half months before her birth, I buried my daughter’s father” Huther a resident from Milford not only shared a moving and powerful testimony in support of the drowsy driving bill, but also addressed a very important message about the dangers of sleep deprivation. According to Dr. Charles Czeisler, chief of the Division of Sleep Medicine at the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, over 2000 drivers fall asleep at the wheel ever day in MA. There have been 30,000 drowsy driving crashes in this state over the past 5 years. And more than 1, 350, 000 drowsy driving crashes around the country within that time. Drowsy drivers are just as dangerous as drunk drivers and it’s important that they bear the responsibility for their actions when they get behind the wheel in that impaired condition. Dr. Czeisler also testified at Thursday’s hearing. Senator Moore’s bill calls for a start to educate new drivers, driving instructors and law enforcement about the problem of drowsy driving and the steps that can be taken to prevent serious, even fatal, accidents. Several committee members recognize the importance of preventing drowsy driving and expressed that the committee will give this legislation serious consideration. More information on Senator Moore’s issues can be obtained by checking his web site www.senatormoore.com. |
