Spreading the word about the dangers of texting and driving

Posted: 11.20.2012 at 1:05 PM

Colonel Mark McDonough the Commissioner of Georgia's Department of Public Safety says people need to stop texting, wear their seatbelts, stop speeding and designate a sober driver when they're drinking to make sure that doesn't happen. / Colby Gallagher

ALBANY, GA -- Nine days before Christmas in 2009, Alex Sorohan's family was told her brother, Caleb, was killed instantly in a head-on collision. It wasn't until five days later they were told the crash was Caleb's fault because he was texting.

Since that day, Alex has traveled speaking about the dangers of texting while driving and how it can happen to anyone unless they put the phone down.

On Tuesday, Alex teamed up with Georgia's Governor's Office of Highway Safety and Department of Public Safety for the state-wide Operation Safe Holidays tour.

Since 2005, the number of fatal crashes in Georgia has gone down but GOHS Director Harris Blackwood says the state is on track to increase from the previous year.

Colonel Mark McDonough the Commissioner of Georgia's Department of Public Safety says people need to stop texting, wear their seatbelts, stop speeding and designate a sober driver when they're drinking to make sure that doesn't happen.

Both McDonough and Blackwood say they can use statistics and data to get the message across but having Alex share her family's story is the most important part of their campaign because it lets people know fatal accidents are real.

Alex says sharing her story has created such a following she was able to get a law passed in Georgia against texting while driving.

Caleb's Law states a person cannot drive and text and any driver under the age of 18 is not allowed any cell phone use while behind the wheel.

Alex says she wants to make sure no family has to feel the void that her family feels since Caleb's death.

Stay connected to MySouthWestGA.com as the story develops and the FOX 31 Newscast at 10 PM. Visit us on Facebook and Twitter to join in on the conversation and connect with FOX 31!

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