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Rep. Evans Joined in Committee by Fifteen Year-Old

COLUMBUSState Representative Clyde Evans (R-Rio Grande) was joined today in the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, of which he is the ranking member,  by Zach Veach, a fifteen-year old professional racecar driver from Ross County. Zach delivered proponent testimony on HB 415, a bill that seeks to prohibit driving a vehicle while text messaging on a mobile communication device.

“At 65 mph, a car travels 475 feet in 5 seconds. This is 1 ½ football fields, 6 tractor trailer semis, or the length of 31 mid-size cars,” Veach said during his testimony. “Basically, when a driver reads a text message they are passing 6 tractor trailer semis or 31 mid-size cars with their eyes closed. You have been elected to your position because your communities believe in your ability to make tough decisions to do what is best for them. I stand before you today and respectfully ask you to make a decision that will save thousands of lives.” 

 Zach is set to become the youngest driver in the 37 year history of the Cooper Tires – sponsored Atlantic Championship powered by Mazda (ACS), an important open-wheel stepping stone to careers in Formula 1 and the IZOD Indycar Series. 

“I was very impressed with Zach’s presentation,” Evans stated.  “It is refreshing to see the youth in our state getting involved in meaningful and relevant issues. Zach has proven to be a very dedicated and focused young man in all facets of his life. He should be very proud of the work he is doing and of the goals he has set for himself. Zach will undoubtedly go far in life.”

Zach’s first published iPhone application, due out in March 2010, helps teens avoid dangerous text messaging while driving. He is also working on a book that will be a supplemental read for driver’s education programs across the county, set to be released on December 9, 2010.