On May 7, 2013, disaster struck the Gallatin family from New Castle, Pennsylvania. On this day, Daniel Gallatin was tragically killed while riding his motorcycle by a woman that was texting while driving her SUV. The driver that killed Mr. Gallatin was sentenced to 23 months in jail and was released after 60 days.

In Pennsylvania it is legal to talk on your cell phone while driving and texting while driving citations are rarely given by police officers. Mary-Lou Gallatin, the wife of Daniel Gallatin, along with her daughter Michelle Gallatin-Baughman, Lawrence County A.B.A.T.E., and Pennsylvania State Representative Jaret Gibbons have been actively pursuing stricter penalties for texting drivers that cause severe injury or death to others.

Recent studies have shown that texting while driving is as dangerous as drunk driving. In 2012, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that approximately 3,328 people were killed by distracted driving.

Currently, House Bill 853 is being prepared to be introduced to legislation at the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. House Bill 58 is being entitled "Daniel's Law" in honor of Daniel Gallatin and it will enhance penalties for distracted drivers that injure others.

The lives of the Gallatin family were forever changed on May 7, 2013. To hear Mary-Lou Gallatin and Michelle Gallatin-Baughman discuss the negative impact that texting while driving has had on their lives click here.

To help support Daniel's Law, find your local state representative using this website and send them a quick email supporting the House Bill.

If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of texting while driving, call the distracted driving lawyers at Dallas W. Hartman, P.C. today for a free consultation at 1-800-777-4081.