Texting mum's son speaks out

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Texting mum's son speaks out

3News NZ

Eliot Jessep and his mum Paula

Eliot Jessep and his mum Paula

We've been looking this week at the way many of us, and we've been contacted by a lot of people putting their hands up, continue to use our phones as we drive - texting is regarded as particularly distracting for drivers.

On Monday night, we brought you the story of three young women who were nearly killed when their car was hit by a texting driver.

They told their story, but the driver of the other car, can't - she was killed in the accident.

After our story went to air, we were contacted by her son.

Paula Jessep was a solo mum, aged just 37, and her son, Eliot, was an only child, still at school.

We didn't identify Paula in our story, but her son wanted to talk about his mum  - a great mum who loved him but who isn't here to watch him grow up.

Watch the video to see Lachlan Forsyth, with Eliot's story of what texting while you drive can cost you.

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Comments

19/07/2012 4:52:38 p.m.

Jeannette wrote:

I'm Jade and Renees mum. You were awesome Eliot.You deserve huge respect. We have never been angry with your mum and our girls have only ever felt a sense of loss for you. We have heard from your aunties and many others who knew Paula and that she was a lovely, much loved and respected person. By speaking out...you will all make a difference.

19/07/2012 9:14:00 a.m.

Helen wrote:

Good on you Eliot I know Paula would be so very proud of you. I knew (and worked with) Paula when she was a teenager in New Plymouth. What a special, funny, and fun loving person she was. I heard of the accident at the time and was saddened and shocked because we've all done this or been with someone who has - how many of us are brave enough to tell a driver not to text? Maybe yout speaking out, Eliot will save some lives - I hope so. I'm glad Paula lives on.

19/07/2012 7:34:28 a.m.

Bernadine and Nevill Jessep wrote:

Well done our wonderful grandson. Like comments from another viewer it is not just texting it is doing anything other than keeping hands on the wheel.

19/07/2012 6:32:29 a.m.

james wrote:

as sad as this may be, txting and driving will always happen as does drink driving. but its not only txting well driving, just searching a station on the radio or using gps or trying to roll a smoke while driving are all as dangerous. as ive done all those and more i felt trying to use a gps is one of the worst, it dosnt take much to vare off the road.

18/07/2012 10:04:37 p.m.

AP wrote:

It's really brave of Eliot to come forward and share his story. The more that is shared publicly, the more people will be touched by these stories and make a change to stop texting while driving as the text can wait - it's not "life or death" if you don't text back immediately, but it will literally be a life of death situation if you do text while driving, is it really worth it??

18/07/2012 9:45:26 p.m.

S wrote:

I hope this story makes everyone think twice before texting while driving, it's just not worth it there is too much too lose - the text can wait.

18/07/2012 9:34:28 p.m.

M.J Todd wrote:

Most Excellent! Well done Bill, Robyn and your Team.