Texting and driving is a dangerous combination. It’s become an increasing problem in recent years, with more and more young people engaging in this risky behavior.
But what many don’t realize is just how serious the consequences can be. The shocking truth about texting and driving is that it can devastate lives instantly.
When it comes to texting and driving, awareness is key. We all need to understand just how devastating this habit can be for ourselves and others on the road. By understanding the risks associated with texting and driving, we can make better decisions when we get behind the wheel—and help keep our roads safe for everyone involved.
If you’re in the aftermath of a car accident that involved texting and driving, you need the legal help of a knowledgeable San Diego personal injury lawyer.
The distraction of texting can be even more severe than other distractions. It requires you to take your hands off the wheel, your eyes off the road, and your mind off driving. In addition to removing focus from the task at hand, studies show that drivers who text behind the wheel tend to have significantly slower reaction times.
It only takes a few seconds to check your phone while driving, but those few seconds can have long-lasting repercussions. Texting while driving makes you much more likely to be involved in a car crash.
Even if you’re lucky enough not to get into an accident, there are still legal consequences for using your phone behind the wheel. Texting and driving can lead to some serious legal consequences.
Across the United States, laws have been enacted to make texting while driving a punishable offense. California has a “hands-free” law, meaning drivers cannot use a cell phone or other electronic device while holding it in their hand. Drivers under 18 can’t use a cell phone while driving for any reason. Breaking this law can result in fines of $162 or more and an additional point on your driving record for a first-time offense.
Beyond the monetary penalties, texting and driving can cause serious injury or even wrongful death. In fact, drivers are far more likely to be in a crash when they’re distracted by their phones. With these risks in mind, it’s important to understand what steps can be taken to avoid this kind of behavior while on the road.
There are numerous ways to prevent this dangerous behavior, and it’s important to be aware of them.
Here are just a few:
There are several different types of solutions available that can encourage drivers to keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.
One such solution is an app that blocks text messages while you’re driving or sends automatic responses when you receive one. This type of app can be especially useful for teenagers, who are more likely to be involved in a texting-related crash than any other age group.
Additionally, there are devices that use Bluetooth technology to turn off notifications while you’re behind the wheel. These devices are also helpful in discouraging drivers from picking up their phones while they’re driving.
Texting and driving can have devastating consequences. Drivers must understand the risks of this behavior and know how to avoid it. The laws and penalties are strictly enforced in order to discourage people from engaging in this dangerous activity.
We all have a responsibility to take the necessary steps to ensure our safety and the safety of others when we get behind the wheel. We must also recognize that when we choose to text and drive, we put ourselves, our passengers, and others on the road in danger. By understanding these risks and taking proactive steps to prevent them, we can help reduce the impact of texting and driving on society.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident that was the result of distracted driving, you need an experienced San Diego car accident lawyer to ensure your rights are protected and you get compensated for your losses.
Arthur Paul D’Egidio is the Managing Partner of DP Injury Attorneys, a San Diego personal injury law firm. With more than 12 years of experience in California injury law, he has dedicated his practice to representing clients in a wide range of personal injury matters, including car accidents, workers’ compensation, slip and falls, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases.
Arthur received his Juris Doctor from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law and is a member of the State Bar of California as well as the San Diego County Bar Association. He has received numerous accolades for his work, including being named a Super Lawyer for seven straight years by Thomson Reuters and a “Top 40 Under 40” by the National Trial Lawyers.
