www.legallistings.us - LegalListings.us

Auto Accidents due to texting and driving

Auto Accidents due to texting and driving


Auto Accidents Due to Texting and Driving

According to the Pew Research Center, as of 2018, 77% of U.S. adults have a smartphone. This shouldn't come as a surprise, considering the many ways in which these little devices make daily life easier. For example, whether you're sharing the punchline of a joke or lengthy instructions, text messaging allows you to communicate quickly and efficiently with friends and family.

But timing is everything — and when you're behind the wheel, there's no time for texting.

When driving, it's easy to underestimate how fast you're traveling on the highway. In those several seconds you spend reading or writing a text, you'll likely be covering a lot of distance. At 55 miles per hour, it only takes 5 seconds to driving the length of a football field.

So what laws are in place to discourage the dangerous habit of texting while driving?


The Cost of Texting and Driving

As of 2017, hand-held cell phone use was only banned in 16 states, as well as in Puerto Rico, Guam, D.C., and the Virgin Islands. This is because, although it can be a distraction, simply talking on a cellphone doesn't necessarily require you to take your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel.

However, the specific act of texting and driving is illegal in nearly every state. Some states that do allow all drivers to text are Arizona and Montana. Missouri enforces a limited driving and texting ban, and it only applies to drivers who are 21 years or younger.

If you're caught texting and driving, the legal penalties range from heavy fines and higher car insurance rates to driver's license suspension or even time in prison. The severity of the penalty depends on various factors, including the state and past offenses.

Of course, the physical costs of this bad habit can be even more devastating than the legal consequences.


In 2016, distracted driving caused over 3,000 fatalities on the road, reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Keep in mind, that number doesn't even include the hundreds of thousands of drivers and passengers who suffered minor to severe injuries in accidents. This stresses the need for drivers everywhere to set aside distractions, including cellphones, and keep their eyes on the road.


Breaking the Habit

If you find it tempting to text while driving, a few strategies can help you break the habit:

When you get in the car, put your phone out of reach or even out of sight. The glove compartment and center console are wise places to keep it, as long you don't forget you've stowed it away. Avoid putting it under your seat, where it might shift around too much.

Download an app that blocks text messages and phone calls when you're driving. Some of these apps will start automatically once you're traveling at a specific speed. Others will notify parents when their young driver safely reaches his or her destination. Make sure you look for an app that is compatible with your smartphone.

When you absolutely need to use your phone for driving directions, keep it mounted out of reach, or allow a passenger to handle the phone's GPS.

By adopting these strategies, you'll be doing your part to keep the roadways safe. Unfortunately, not everyone will take the same precautions. If you're injured in an accident due to a distracted driver, a personal injury lawyer can make all the difference. 



Article Tags, click any to see related articles:

About the Author:

Fang Law Firm


The Fang Law Firm Specializes in helping injured individuals obtain compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and other losses. Specializing in auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycles accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip & fall accidents, wrongful death, drunk driving accident, and dog bite accidents.... View full business profile here: Fang Law Firm





Comments, Thoughts & Responses