Approximately 421,000 people were injured and 3,328 died in distracted driving accidents in 2012. As policymakers nationwide look at new laws to curb distracted driving, one proposal in New Jersey is getting heat for what some say is a vague and far too broad definition of “distraction.” If passed, the law could put a big dent in the things New Jersey drivers are allowed to do while driving. [Read more…]
Will New York’s New Highway Texting Zones Curb Distracted Driving?
In response to more and more people texting and talking behind the wheel, penalties for distracted driving are going up. The intent of stiffer penalties in New York and elsewhere is discourage drivers from speeding down the highways with their attention directed elsewhere. The goal of the laws is to prevent distracted driving accidents and save lives. But how likely is it that stiffened penalties will have these desired effects? [Read more…]
New York Trucker Law Seeks to Stop Distraction Accidents
The federal government calls texting a “dangerous epidemic” on our nation’s roads. And when a truck-driver is the one distracted, the danger is especially great. Recently, the state of New York enacted a law to reduce texting behind the wheel by truckers and help prevent fatal truck crashes. [Read more…]
New Jersey Proposal Would Let Police Seize Cellphones in Accidents
Legislation in the New Jersey State Senate would let police confiscate the cellphones of drivers involved in car accidents, CBS Philly reports. [Read more…]
State Senate Passes Bill Authorizing Stricter Penalties for Texting While Driving
Recently, the New Jersey State Senate passed bill S69, which increases fines and authorizes motor vehicle penalty points and license suspension for convictions related to talking or texting on hand-held devices while driving. The bill amends N.J.S.A. 39:4-97.3 and declares unlawful the use of a wireless telephone or electronic communication device by an operator of a moving motor vehicle on a public road or highway. [Read more…]
New Jersey Drivers Read and Groom Themselves While Driving
A recent article written by Mike Frassinelli of NJ.com[i] has released a new study about driver distractions. Plymouth Rock Assurance conducted a survey which revealed that 12% of drivers have shaved, applied makeup or combed their hair while driving. Five percent of drivers polled have browsed the internet while driving and 9% of driving under the influence of alcohol. [Read more…]
Distracted Driving Accidents Underreported
When someone is accused of causing a serious accident, it is usually left up to various investigators to determine how it occurred. Rarely do at-fault drivers say something like, “I was texting the entire time I was driving this morning,” or “It’s all my fault.” Usually, even if their fault is evident, they aren’t likely to make it worse by admitting they were distracted by their phone, for instance. And this, experts say, is part of the reason we don’t have an accurate picture of how many accidents are caused by cell phone use. [Read more…]
Dangers of Distracted Driving Accidents Involving Cell Phones Increases
As more handheld electronic devices hit the market, and more people use them, collisions caused by distracted drivers continue to rise. In 2011, 3,331 people lost their lives in a distracted driving crash —up from 3,267 the prior year. Another 387,000 people were injured in a distracted driving crash. To put those numbers in perspective, almost one of every five accidents listed distracted driving as a contributing factor. [Read more…]