We are living in an age of increased distractions and in an age with a need for speed. These are especially deadly when combined and are being played out together by teenagers behind the wheels of automobiles everyday. And car accident statistics are proving this to be a real problem.
In the past few decades, the use of technology has dramatically increased in our lives. In the 90's, few teenagers had cell phones. But, the next decade changed that. And now, cell phones don't just take phone calls. With a cell phone, you can now update facebook, twitter, and foursquare, check your email, text friends, buy movie tickets, play games, and use GPS all from your cell phone WHILE DRIVING! And there are hundreds of new apps every day creating all kinds of new dangerous multi-tasking possibilities. And although everyone knows that using a cell phone while driving is dangerous, the younger generation tends to think they can get away with it. Jim Greene from the "LawyerShop" points out that "one in every three teenage deaths is caused by a motor vehicle crash". Commonsensemedia.org reports 2,600 traffic deaths are caused each year by drivers using cell phones, according to a Harvard study and that 570,000 accidents leading to minor and serious injuries are caused each year by cell phone distractions, according to the same Harvard study. Texting while driving has even been credited for causing train wrecks. These are just some of the indications of this technology tragedy.
Texting and using a cellphone while driving may have legal consequences. As of 2011, In many states it is illegal to text while driving. Some states have laws against the use of cell phones while driving in certain circumstances. In most states, school bus drivers can't use cell phones when driving a bus with passengers. Novice drivers are largely prohibited from using cell phones while driving. Some state laws require the use of head sets while talking on a cell phone and driving. In some states, cell phone use is a primary offense. That is, an police officer doesn't have to have any other reason to pull you over and cite you aside from the cell phone violation.
Each state has its own laws regarding the use of cell phones while driving. And though it is wise to know and obey the laws, it is wiser yet to not use cell phones when driving even if it is legal. Multi tasking while driving is dangerous and it ought not be done.
Add your thoughts in the comment section and add to the discussion.
Onstar has been making hands free devices available to all new Chevrolet trucks since around 2008. I would think that this addition to all new cars that are made would cut down the accident rate for those still using hand held cells. Texting now, is a whole different ballgame.
Just a quick note on how much I enjoyed visiting your site,a lot of good relevant information for me. Only hands free are legal at the moment.
Mobile
More than 13000 people have been fined for using their cellphones while driving since it became illegal nearly two years ago – and more than half of them are Aucklanders.
hi, I found your article through search engines. I want to say how delighted I was reading this article .. yes, cell phones while driving may be illegal. Thanks for the information
Auto accidents happen every day in America and often lead to property damage, physical injuries and death. Accident victims may be entitled to receive compensation for their damaged property and for any other harm that the accident caused. If involved in an accident, people should hire a personal injury lawyer to provide aggressive, effective and detail-oriented representation because the truth is that in today’s society, it is probable that the person driving was distracted by their cell phone. Therefore, if you have been injured in a car accident, it is important to seek legal counsel. You will want a lawyer to represent your case because if you were the innocent party, you are going to want to make sure the other person’s mistake wasn’t caused by them breaking the law and if you happen to be the person whose error in judgment contributed to this accident, you are going to want guidance on how to approach the situation.