“Am I on a rampage? Yes, I am, and why shouldn’t I be?” Those are the words of U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who is upset that 32,885 people lost their lives in 2010 from distracted drivers. While all cell phone use while driving can be deadly, texting while driving is front and center of the debate. Automakers developed ways to talk while driving through dashboard systems pre-installed in the car. However, there is no way to text without taking your eyes and both hands off the steering wheel.
Idaho became the 37th state to ban texting on April 5. Two days before, West Virginia became the 36th — and the 10th to ban handheld cell phone. Both laws take effect July 1. Other states taking recent action are Pennsylvania, Nevada and Maine. Passing laws that ban texting proves to be easier than passing laws that ban cell phone use outright.
Last December, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stirred up the debate by recommending that states ban all electronic devices while driving. The recommendation was successful in that it raised awareness of the distracted driving epidemic in America. Too many drivers think they can text safely while driving. This is simply not true. Distracted driving injuries and fatalities are preventable if drivers would put away their phones when they get in the car.
Harrell & Nowak, L.L.C. – New Orleans accident attorneys