Why texting and driving don’t mix: See that freight train?

Lawmakers looking to outlaw texting while influencing the operation of a motor vehicle have a new poster child:

Meet Robert Gillespie, 38 – OK, a bit old for a poster child – of Eugene, Ore., who police say was busy with his messages when he should have been mindful of the road … and the oncoming train.

From Associated Press:

When Robert Gillespie looked up from his text message, he saw a freight train. EOM. ("End of message," that is, for non-texters.) Eugene police say Gillespie's car crashed into the side of the Union Pacific freight train about 2 a.m. Tuesday.

When officers arrived, they found him alert and talking, but trapped in the car. They learned about the cell phone and text message as they worked to rescue him.

The fact that Gillespie was allegedly intoxicated may also have contributed to the collision.

Of course, Gillespie and the train may have been spared this mishap had the former lived across the state line in Washington, where the governor recently signed first-of-its-kind legislation outlawing texting while driving.

It won’t be the last such law enacted. While Gillespie’s contribution to the cause should not go unnoticed, this isn’t exactly a controversial topic, witness this survey showing that nearly 9 in 10 Americans favor a ban on the practice.

Bet even Bob Gillespie’s on board now.