You have probably already seen to signs on I-95 urging folks to pull over to a rest stop when sending text messages. Maybe you have seen the commercials on television too. Either way, the point has been made that the state of Maryland is raising awareness about distracted driving. According to Maryland State Police and AAA, distracted driving accounts for up to 60 percent of the accidents that occur in our state. Over 250 lives are lost in the state each year as a result of distracted driving. Clearly these are unsatisfactory realities, and it is no wonder that action is being taken to change things.

Each year, we have had the opportunity to support the Heather L. Hurd 5K Run and Trick-or-Treat Walk that occurs around Halloween. This is a great even that serves in part to bring attention to the devastation that comes as a result of distracted driving. Heather Hurd was a vibrant young woman when she was killed by a distracted driver in Florida in 2008 while traveling to meet a wedding planner at Disney World.

It is our hope that through the efforts of our lawmakers, police and with the help of events like these, our state will see fewer families experiencing the pain that comes with senseless loss such as that which has been visited upon the Hurd family.