Letter from Father of Deceased Daughter Killed by Tractor Trailer - Driver 
Texting.
Dear  Sirs,
I  would  like  to  
congratulate  the  State  of  Florida  for  naming  July  as  Distracted  driving  awareness  month  and  also  the  Stay  Alive  Just  Drive  program  for  their  continuing  work  to  bring  awareness  to  this  ever  increasing  danger  on  our  roadways.
On  January  3,  2008  my  daughter  Heather  was  killed  on  Rt  27  in  Polk  County  by  a  tractor  trailer  driver  who  was  
texting  his  company  when  the  collision  
occurred.  40,000  people  a  year  are  killed  on  our  nations  highways,  many  by  distracted  drivers  and  the  pain  that  these  families  must  endure  in  everlasting. 
We  must  continue  to  educate  and  legislate  to  reduce  these  needless  fatalities.  The  State  of  Florida  must  now  join  the  many  other  states  in  our  country  by  passing  "  Heather's  Law,  a  
comprehensive  ban  on  hand  held  cell  phones  and  text  messaging  while  driving.  Recent  studies  have  proven  that  these  practices  are  just  as  dangerous  as  driving  while  intoxicated  and  they  are  the  most  
prevalent  of  all  
distractions  while  driving. 
I  urge  all  Lee  County  residents  to  support  the  Stay  Alive  Just  Drive  Program  and  also  to  urge  their  State  legislators  to  pass  Heather's  Law  in  the  2010  legislature.
Sincerely
Russell  
HurdNote:  ICE4SAFETY does not advocate using cell phones of any sort or 
texting while operating any motor vehicle or machinery because you cannot adequately and safely drive and concentrate on other matters like conversing on a phone. Period.
Just Drive.