Mother supports legislation that will strengthen distracted driving laws

Sandra LaRose knows all too well the toll distracted driving can take, and she’s now supporting the provincial government’s announcement that it will be strengthening the penalties for driving while using a cellphone.

In August 2018, LaRose’s life took an awful turn — her teenage daughter was involved in a crash with a train and died days later.

The crash was blamed, in part, on distracted driving. LaRose says Kailynn Bursic-Panchuk had her phone open to Google Maps on the passenger seat and LaRose believes Kailynn was looking down at the phone when the crash happened.

Since then, LaRose has been speaking out about distracted driving, including taking part in an SGI commercial. She has praised the spot, saying the company couldn’t have made a better commercial.

She’s hoping her message sinks in for people, reminding them that their life matters.

“There’s no going back once you’re gone — and, by gone, you could be dead, you could be in jail. You can’t just think of yourself as the only one affected. If you get a ticket, a ticket is minor compared to what can potentially happen,” said LaRose.

On Wednesday, the provincial government announced its legislative agenda for the fall session, including a promise to strengthen the penalties for driving while using a phone.

LaRose was feeling positive about the announcement and is hoping the penalties increase significantly.

“Hitting the pocketbook is the start of it; people rely on their money. And it’s not a money grab. If you don’t commit the offence, you don’t have to pay,” LaRose said.

LaRose said she hopes that her speaking out on the issue has helped to push the needle on the legislation, but said she doesn’t want to take credit.

She has heard from people who’ve taken her story to heart. LaRose said a co-worker told her about her 15-year-old son who saw LaRose’s SGI commercial.

“And he promised his mom that he’d never put her in the same situation that I’m in,” said LaRose, who started to well up as she spoke. “And that’s all I hope for.”

Hearing things like that makes LaRose feel proud.

“And I hope Kailynn’s proud,” LaRose said. “She’s the one I’m doing it for; I’m her voice now. She would be doing it if roles were reversed.”

LaRose said she’ll keep talking and telling her story, trying to make people realize how serious this problem is. She said she’ll keep talking as long as people will listen.