Proposed Distracted Driving Law Could Ban Eating, Drinking While Driving
A new viral distracted driving video has surfaced of a woman driving in an SUV on a freeway in Colorado texting with her left leg on the dashboard. The video lasts 47 seconds and at one point the woman is seen texting for more than 10 seconds without looking up. Studies have shown texting while driving is six times more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk and answering just one text message going 55mph is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field.
It’s disturbing videos like this that have lawmakers across the country looking to implement laws against distracted driving. The latest comes from New Jersey where lawmakers are looking to fine drivers for eating or drinking coffee while driving. Although texting or talking on cell phones is already illegal, some legislators say it’s not enough. Penalties for your first offense could be up to $400 and for multiple offenses it could mean a license suspension.
According to distraction.gov, in 2014, nearly 3,200 people were killed and 431,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. What constitutes distracted driving? Texting, talking on the phone, eating and drinking, grooming, reading, using a navigation system, watching a video, adjusting the radio, checking an email, posting on social media and more.
Many of these bad habits will need to be actively worked on to try and stop, but those related to the phone have easy fixes you can implement right now. We wrote a blog on the Best Distracted Driving App to Prevent Accidents that is a great resource to check out. And parents – it’s a great one to add to your teen’s phone.
Countless auto accidents happen every day. And accidents caused by distracted driving often have extraordinary consequences. If you’ve been seriously injured or lost a loved one in an auto accident, contact the Knapp & Roberts auto accident attorneys in Phoenix today for a free initial consultation. Call 480-991-7677 or fill out the Do I Have a Case form on our website today.
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