Almost a year ago, we reported on an accident where a 13 year old boy was killed by a motorist driving while sending a text message. Yesterday, the driver was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison after pleading guilty to the charges.
While I have to give the driver some credit, he took responsibility for his actions, I’m once again left with this syncing feeling… if I were the parents of the boy who was killed, what would I feel a just punishment would be?
Sure, the driver will be spending 2 1/2 years behind bars, but that doesn’t do anything to help bring their son back or make it safer for other children. I know no more about this driver than what I’ve read, but someone who freely admits there wrongdoings would seem to be a reasonable person. He certainly made a stupid mistake, one which I can only assume he will regret for the rest of his life. Is putting him behind bars a reasonable punishment? I think I’d rather see him have his license suspended or revoked and ordered to do significant community service. Perhaps organize a speaking tour, where he can tell up and coming drivers about his accident and why it’s dangers to text or talk on the cell phone while driving.
What do you think?