As we previously reported on our New York Injury Lawyer Blog, all drivers in the state of New York were banned from using any type of portable electronic device while operating a motor vehicle as of July 12th of 2011. Drivers who are caught by law enforcement breaking this law can get 3 points added to their driver’s license and can potentially face a fine of nearly $200. This is considered to be a primary offense, which means an officer can pull you over for this dangerous behavior alone. There’s no need to find additional violations to justify a traffic stop.
This type of law is exactly what the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is trying to get all states to enact to make our roadways safer. The NTSB recently announced a nationwide proposal for an overall ban on portable electronic devices for all drivers. This dangerous habit is taking the lives of far too many people. In 2010, there were an estimated 3,100 people killed because of distracted-driving traffic accidents in the U.S.
Our New York car accident attorneys understand that a vital component of any type of law is enforcement. For this reason, the NTSB is also making a recommendation that in addition to banning portable electronic devices for drivers, that state governments also adopt high-visibility enforcement campaigns to supplement the new measures. Under the new proposed law, drivers would only be able to use a portable electronic device in the event of an emergency.
“This is a growing public safety threat that needs to be addressed by…every person who operates a motor vehicle on our nation’s roadways,” says Janet Froetscher of the National Safety Council (NSC).
The NSC recently announced its support for the NTSB and for the recent recommendations it made. The NSC recognizes that there are no safety benefits from allowing drivers to use hands-free devices behind the wheel because they still serve as cognitive distractions. Some argue that hands-free is in fact safer than hand-held, but previous studies have debunked that theory.
According to the NSC, there are more than a million accidents every year because of drivers on cell phones. These types of accidents account for about a quarter of all traffic crashes in the country. Because not all accidents caused by cell phones are actually attributed to the proper cause, officials believe that the actual number of distraction-related accidents involving cell phones is much higher.
Drivers in the state of New York are asked to be cautious and considerate behind the wheel. Even though driver distractions are prohibited by law in this state, the truth of the matter is that many drivers on our roadways still call and text while driving. Remember: no phone call or text message is worth losing a life. Drive safely and curb unnecessary distractions!
The car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC offer free consultations to those who have been injured in a car accident in Queens, Manhattan and throughout New York City. Call 1-877-313-7673 24 hours a day to speak with someone about your case.
More Blog Entries:
New York Teens Share Stories of Tragedy and Survival Following a Car Accident, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, December 26, 2011
Winter Weather Puts Motorists at Risk of a Car Accident in New York City, Elsewhere, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, December 9, 2011
