Cell Phones And Driving: A Description Of Current Laws
We all know that driving while using a cell phone can be risky
. But many drivers choose to ignore these risks, a choice that can be detrimental to everyone on the road. Here are just a few of the stark statistics about cell phones and driving.
According to a University of Utah study, driving while preoccupied by cell phone use, whether its handheld, hands-free or texting, extends a drivers reaction time just as much as having a blood alcohol content at .08 percent.
According to a Virginia Tech/NHTSA study, the number one cause of driver inattentiveness is the use of a mobile device.
And the NHTSA, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that drivers on their cell phones are four times as likely to get into automobile accidents that can cause serious harm to themselves and others.
Nationwide Insurances website claims that 10 percent of drivers, ranging in age from 16 to 24, are using their wireless phone at any one time, and driving while distracted (DWD) is a cause in 25 percent of police-reported crashes. Nationwides DWD Survey Fact Sheet also reports that 45 percent of its 1,008 surveyed respondents were nearly hit or actually hit by another driver that was using a cell phone.
Also, according to a Carnegie Mellon report steering a vehicle while on a phone reduces the total amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent.
Chatting and texting on a cell phone are some of the most common driver distractions, with driver distraction being one of the leading factors in countless vehicle crashes. Not only can such a reckless diversion cause accidents that either result in damages or tragic fatalities, it can also guarantee an expensive ticket.
So brush up on the current state laws concerning bans on cell phone use while driving, this way you can drive safely, avoid that ticket and, even more importantly, reduce the risk of a serious accident.
The following six states ban the use of handheld cell phone for all drivers: California; Connecticut; New Jersey; New York; Oregon and Washington. The District of Columbia, as well as the Virgin Islands, also prohibit drivers from using their handheld sets while on the road. For these states, with the exception of Washington, these laws are all primary enforcement police officers can issue a ticket to a driver for using handheld mobile device while driving, even without any other traffic offense in process.
While no state completely bans all types of cell phone use for all drivers, many states have made cell phone use illegal for certain segments of the population. Twenty-one states (Arkansas; California; Colorado; Connecticut; Delaware; Illinois; Indiana; Kansas; Maine; Maryland; Minnesota; Michigan; Nebraska; New Jersey; North Carolina; Oregon; Rhode Island; Tennessee; Texas; Virginia and West Virginia), plus the District of Columbia, bans all cell phone use by novice drivers, which includes those under 19 or drivers with a learners permit. Seventeen states (Arizona; Arkansas; California; Connecticut; Delaware; Georgia; Illinois; Kentucky; Louisiana; Massachusetts; Minnesota; New Jersey; North Carolina; Rhode Island; Tennessee; Texas and Virginia), plus the District of Columbia, school bus drivers are prohibited from all cell phone use.
Eighteen states (Alaska; Arkansas; California; Colorado [as of 12/09]; Connecticut; Illinois [as of 1/10]; Louisiana; Maryland; Minnesota; New Hampshire; New Jersey; North Carolina; Oregon; Tennessee; Utah; Virginia; Washington); plus the District of Columbia, now ban or will ban all drivers from using their cell phones for text messaging. Nine states (West Virginia; Texas; Nebraska; Mississippi; Kansas; Indiana; Delaware; Maine and Missouri ) only prohibit novice drivers from text messaging while driving, and Texas only restricts novice drivers from texting and school bus drivers from texting if they are driving when with a passenger 17-years-old or under.
Maine, New Hampshire and Utah treat the use of a mobile device while on the road as a larger distracted driving issue. However, Utah considers using a cell phone to be an offense only if the driver is committing another moving violation, other than speeding, at the same time.
Eight states (Florida; Kentucky; Louisiana; Mississippi; Nevada; Oklahoma; Oregon and Utah) have preemption laws in place prohibiting local jurisdictions from enacting restrictions. In six other states (Illinois; Massachusetts; Michigan; New Mexico; Ohio and Pennsylvania), local jurisdictions are allowed to ban the use of handheld cell phones.
More and more states across the country are prohibiting most, if not all, drivers from using their cell phones, whether it is talking or texting, while on the road. But in order for you to drive safely, it is best to avoid your mobile phone or other electronic device, no matter what the law says. Remember that your life is not the only one on the line.
by: Ann12
Samsung Phones : Creating The Magic Of Eye Catching Display Mobile Phones Free Gifts: Connecting World With Offers Sony Ericsson W995 : The Best Tool For Getting Mobile Entertainment Pop Mobile Ringtones - Take A Musical Ride Best Mobile Contracts: Add Benefit With Your Phone Lg Ku990 Viewty Best Deal: A Rewarding Option Indeed Play Best Mobile Games Best Mobile Phone Deals: Make A Smart Decision With These Deals Every other day diet Sony Ericsson Satio Amazing Phone Sony Ericsson Satio Contract: An Incredible Offer Do Others Determine Your Success? Always Remember These 3 Tips Personal Success: It’s Up To You … Not Others or Your Circumstances