Distractive Driving = Lethal Driving (Update on Anita Zaffke's tragic death)

If you have been reading my blog and/or keen to the tragic death of Anita Zaffke, you may have surmized that this has touched me very closely. It has touched me to the point that I am contributing to Anita's son, Greg Zaffke's "BLACK NAIL BRIGADE - Foundation Against Reckless, Negligent, Impaired & Distracted Driving" The foundation's goal is to increase awareness of the dangers of driver recklessness & inattention through education while demanding strict legal precedent, fully enforced to ensure prevention of senseless deaths on the road. http://www.blacknailbrigade.org/ which is evolving into an excellant resource. Greg's and the Foundation is just getting started. As it continues to grow and evolve, it is clear it will make a positive impact on decreasing distracted driving.

I have been following this case closely and attempting to push for drivers not to drive distracted. Motorcyclists and vehicle drivers all must ride and driver safer. I understand that there are two sides of the fence. There are irresponsible riders, just like irresponsible drivers. It is my own goal to continue to increase awareness of motorcycles and discourage distracted drivers. Distracted drivers effects everyone, not just motorcyclists. In my mind,

Here is an update on the latest status of this case.

source:

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=298760

http://pub42.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=3562429698&frmid=48&msgid=1059735&cmd=show

Traffic ticket dismissed as probe into fatal crash continues

By Tony Gordon [ tgordon@dailyherald.com ]

Daily Herald Staff

Published: 6/5/2009 4:16 PM

"Prosecutors have dismissed the traffic ticket issued to a Morris womansuspected of causing a May 2 crash that killed a motorcyclist, while theyinvestigate filing more serious charges at a later date.

Lake County State's Attorney Michael Waller said Friday he elected to dismiss the ticket for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident given toLora L. Hunt, 48, to avoid potential double-jeopardy issues.

Police said Hunt was polishing her fingernails as she drove and struck amotorcycle stopped for a traffic signal at Rand and Old McHenry roads nearLake Zurich.

The driver of the motorcycle, Anita Zaffke, 56, of Lake Zurich, was killed by the impact.

The tragedy has touched off an angry and emotional outcry, particularlyamong motorcycle enthusiasts, about the danger caused by distracted drivers.

Waller said an accident reconstruction specialist is preparing a report onthe crash, and investigators from his office are re-interviewing witnesses.

He said it was necessary to dismiss the traffic ticket before Hunt's firstscheduled court appearance, which was set for Monday, June 8, to avoidpotential double-jeopardy issues.

"Had she chosen to plead guilty to the traffic ticket, it could have prevented us from filing more serious charges if the investigation indicatesthey are warranted," Waller said. "If more serious charges are notwarranted, the traffic charge can be reinstated."

Lake County Sheriff's police have already said drug or alcohol use on Hunt'spart is not an issue in the case, and Lake County Coroner Dr. Richard Kellersaid Hunt's toxicology tests were negative.

Waller said he could not predict when the investigation would be complete,but added he expects the results within a few weeks.

[ AND THE GAMES BEGIN! ]