Don’t Become Another Statistic: The Dangers of Texting While Driving

Did you know that texting behind the wheel has become the most dangerous practice on the road, even surpassing driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs?

It’s true – using a smartphone to text while driving is a huge problem and very distracting to the driver. Texting drivers, even glancing at the screen, are distracted in 3 ways: Manually because at least one hand is off the wheel; visually when they look at the screen instead of the road; cognitively as they are thinking about something other than the task at hand – safe driving.

Distracted driving kills. In fact, 9 people lose their lives in distracted driving-related accidents every day in the U.S. Driver distractions are not limited to cellphone use – behaviors like eating and drinking, dealing with young children, adjusting music controls and GPS, and visiting with passengers all take the driver’s mind away from safe driving.

New York’s Campaign To Stop Texting While Driving: “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.”

New York once again joins the federal “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” campaign against distracted driving sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

New York law prohibits using a handheld portable electronic device such as a cellphone for talking, reading or writing texts or emails, surfing the web, playing games and taking or sending selfies and other photos.

There are some exceptions to these regulations, including using a hands-free mobile phone or a handheld electronic device that is fixed to an interior surface.

“U Drive. U Text. UPay.” And you will pay! Penalties for a texting while driving first offense can cost up to $200 plus 5 driver violation points. Subsequent offenses can cost substantially more. Those driving with a learner’s permit or probationary license may have those licenses suspended and even revoked. You can read more about New York State’s Mobile Phone and Portable Electronic Device Laws at SafeNY.NY.gov.

Importantly, New York identifies these violations as primary. In other words, a police officer may pull you over when observing driver illegal cellphone use, instead of tacking it on as a secondary offense to another traffic violation such as running a red light.

Let Us Know If You Have Been Injured in a Distracted Driving Accident

If you or a family member has been harmed by a defective product, car accident, truck accident, construction accident, slip and fall or any other type of personal injury, please contact StolzenbergCortelli, LLC Attorneys at Law immediately. Please call us for a free consultation. Attorneys Howard Stolzenberg and Terrence James Cortelli, personal injury attorneys in White Plains, Nyack and New York City, will fight to secure justice for you and your family. You can reach us at (914) 361 – 4888 or contact us via the website.