A new study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute discovered the practice of texting while driving is even more dangerous than originally believed, according to the Washington Post.
The study reported drivers of heavy trucks who texted were 23 times more likely to be involved in a collision than when not texting. For cars and drugs, texting on a cell phone or even reaching for an electronic device increased the risk of collision about six times.
Surprisingly, the study found a headset cell phone use is not safer than a hand-held device since the key risks associated with both take the drivers’ eyes off the road.
"These results show conclusively that a real key to significantly improving safety is keeping your eyes on the road,” according to an institute representative.
As an injury lawyer who’s represented clients severely hurt in automobile accidents for 20 years, this study reinforces a basic safe-driving principle, but emphasizing such a principle is a good thing. Hopefully, those people who continue to text while driving will cease immediately.
Virginia (VA) and 13 other states have already made texting while driving illegal. The punishment for an individual who texts or e-mails while driving receive a $20 dollar fine or $50 dollar fine for a second offense, though drivers can only receive the citation if they are pulled over for another violation such as speeding or failing to obey a street sign, according to ABC News.
Here’s a video discussing the new Virginia (VA) “driving while texting” law…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY6EfVz_kjM
About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm is based in Virginia (VA), near the NE North Carolina (NC) border and handles car,truck,railroad, and medical negligence cases and more. Our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service. Lawyers licensed in: VA, NC, SC, WV, DC, KY.
PA
Comments for this article are closed.