FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) — A Kentucky mother testified before lawmakers, pushing for a hands-free driving law after her toddler daughter died when police say a distracted driver crashed into them.
Alyssa Burns came to Frankfort and told lawmakers about her daughter, Camberleigh, who died when the car they were in was rear-ended. Police told her the other driver was speeding and was distracted.
“If you’re not making the right decisions you can kill someone. That’s all I want from her story,” Burns said.
Burns wants the law to be named for her daughter and said the driver who hit them only faced a speeding ticket.
“I just ask that you help me continuing to help making our roads safer because my daughter deserves to be here,” Burns said.
Proposed legislation targets cell phone use
Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, said all states that surround Kentucky have some kind of law limiting cell phone use while driving and Kentucky needs to join them.
“It makes it unlawful to have a hand-held communication device in your hand,” Higdon said.
The bill, also called the “Phone Down Kentucky Act,” outlaws watching videos on phones but still allows phone use while the car is stopped at a light.
“The bill says a police officer shall not stop a person for a violation unless the officer has visually observed the violation has occurred,” Higdon said.
Higdon said statistics show 20 percent of deadly crashes are caused by distracted drivers but he believes that percentage is actually higher.
Burns hopes the law will make others see there are consequences for their actions.
“I know this bill does not bring Camberleigh back, and it does not bring the justice that is due, but it plants a seed for safety and security for our future,” Burns said.
Violations will carry a $100 fine plus court costs. Higdon said the bill will be filed for the session that begins Jan. 6.
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