R U Texting While Driving?

April 19, 2011 - PRLog -- Can you understand this?  Ikr lol!  If you can, you are most probably a texter which according to the Urban Dictionary means:  “a person who prefers to send text messages instead of picking up the phone.” The latter has become a syndrome and same way, people actually prefer to text even when driving to get things done or to say something than to stop and make a call.  Does this make any sense?  

Texting was first used in 1992 but when the 3G Network developed, it revolutionized its demand and today, text messaging is the most widely used mobile data service, with 74% of all mobile phone users worldwide today.  

Texting and cell phone laws differ from state to state and some states have been enforcing it widely; others haven't.  Still, when a person gets involved in a car accident, the insurance companies always ask:  “Was the driver on the cell phone or texting?”  The insurance company may not pay your claim because it's an act of negligence at all cost.  More and more states are cracking down on texting to reduce car accidents.  Currently, 21 States and the District of Columbia prohibit novice drivers from using electronic communication devices (including cell phones) during the learners and intermediate stages of a three-stage graduated driver license (GDL) program.  Six States ban hand held cell phone use for all drivers, and 19 States ban texting by all drivers.  

The defense of most people is that they can multitask and be able to pay same attention to both tasks at hand which in this case would be driving and texting.  Well, think again!  According to scientific research, human beings can't multitask very well and in this case you are not only placing yourself and all passengers in your car at risk but every other driver out there.  "People can't multitask very well, and when people say they can, they're deluding themselves," said neuroscientist Earl Miller. And, he said, "The brain is very good at deluding itself."

There are three types of distracted driving which are visual, manual and cognitive and texting is the most alarming since involves all three.  What is more unbelievable are the stats behind the facts.  Did you know that according to America Automobile Association Foundation for Traffic Safety (http://www.aaafoundation.org/home/), 7 out of 10 Americans admit to have text while driving?  The consequences are equally devastating.  In 2009, 20 percent of injury crashes involved reports of distracted driving, according to the National Highway Safety Administration and out of those killed in distracted-driving-related crashes, 995 involved reports of a cell phone as a distraction (18% of fatalities in distraction-related crashes).

Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (http://www.vtti.vt.edu/) did a study in 2009 focusing on the risk of texting while driving.  The results were imminent.  It's a jaw dropper that according to this study,  drivers of heavy trucks who were texting while driving were at a 23 times greater risk of a crash or near-crash than those who were not.  

More stats...  A published article in LA Times, exposes a recent investigation done by a group of researchers from the University of North Texas which showed that between the years of 2002 to 2007, 16,141 deaths were attributed to texting while driving.  These numbers were taken from the Fatality Accident Reporting System and texting data from the FCC and CTIA. ( http://articles.latimes.com/2010/sep/24/news/la-heb-distr...)

So, if you were to lose your life due to answering to your BFF, LOL, would that be worth it or can it wait?

Shiner Law Group is working hard to reduce the injuries and fatalities caused by texting while driving in Florida.  To read about another blog post, please follow the link:  http://www.shinerlawgroup.com/legal-resources/why-do-we-allow-texting-while-driving

# # #

After you have been injured in an auto accident, you should consult with a personal injury attorney who has successfully handled prior auto accident cases. In some cases, you may be allowed to file a lawsuit to seek damages from the negligent party who caused your injuries. These monetary damages can cover things such as your: bodily damages, medical bills, property damage, lost income, lost earning potential, and pain and suffering.

Call us now to ask one of our attorneys any questions you or a loved one may have. Our experienced attorneys not only have the skills to deal with paperwork, courtroom politics, and trial procedures – but the attorneys and staff at Shiner Law Group have what it takes to fight for our client’s rights!