NORTHWEST PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Northwest Regional Highway Safety Network, and the Hermitage Police Department urged motorists to be aware of the dangers surrounding distracted driving, and learn more about “Daniel’s Law.”

The law honors motorcyclist, Daniel Gallatin, an avid motorcyclist, firefighter, and military veteran, was riding to his daughter’s home when another driver stuck his motorcycle in May 2013. He died from injuries suffered during the crash.

Unsatisfied with the sentence the driver received, Gallatin’s family worked with Pennsylvania legislators to increase the penalties for drivers who are texting when causing a serious crash.

In November 2016, Governor Tom Wolf signed “Daniel’s Law,” named in honor of him.

Effective as of January 4, 2017, drivers who text and cause a fatality will receive a five-year jail sentence, and drivers who cause bodily injury while texting and driving will receive a two-year jail sentence.

As part of today’s event, Michelle Gallatin-Baughman, Gallatin’s daughter, shared the story of how her father’s life due to distracted driving, and his family continues to participate in community outreach opportunities.

Gallatin-Baughman also talked with students at Hickory High School about the dangers of distracted driving, including texting. During her visit, students were invited to try out driving simulators that show the possible consequences of distracted or impaired driving.

Distracted driving is defined as anything that causes a driver to take their attention away from driving, eyes off the road, or hands off the wheel.

Other distractions include: eating, drinking, smoking, adjusting the radio, searching for an object in the vehicle, personal grooming, looking at things outside the vehicle, interacting with passengers, using a cell phone or texting.

According PennDOT data, there were more than 14,800 crashes and 66 fatalities involving distracted driving in 2015.

Additionally, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety states that 40 percent of drivers, and 66 percent of drivers age 19 to 24, reported reading a text message/email while driving within 30 days prior to a survey they administered.

More than 31 percent of all drivers, including 59 percent of drivers 19 to 24, also admitted to typing or sending a text message or email while driving.

Even without a crash, Pennsylvania law prohibits using a wireless device to send, read, or write a text-based communication while driving.

This includes texting, instant messaging, emailing or browsing the internet. It is a primary offense and carries a fine of $50 plus fees and court costs.

For more information on the dangers of distracted driving, visit www.penndot.gov/safety and click on Traffic Safety & Driver Topics.