To help raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving-related car accidents in New York and elsewhere, the National Safety Council (NSC) recently launched a new campaign. This campaign consists of a number of short videos, titled “Understanding Distracted Driving,” to help drivers to understand the dangers, risks and consequences of driving while engaging in distracting behavior.
Beginning on the July 12, drivers in the state of New York were banned from using any sort of hand-held electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. If you’re busted breaking this law, you will receive 3 points on your driver’s license and you could face a fine of $150, according to New York State’s Highway Safety Program. This is considered a primary offense which means that a police officer can stop you if the only thing they’ve found you doing wrong is violating this single law. There doesn’t need to be any additional violations.
Our New York City car accident attorneys understand how many accidents are caused every year by distracted drivers. Unfortunately, no amount of law enforcement effort may ever be as effective as driver education and responsibility. According to distraction.gov, there were nearly 5,500 people killed because of distracted driving-related traffic accidents in the United States in 2009. Drivers that use a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle are four times more likely to be involved in a traffic crash.
The newly released videos from the NSC features David Teater, the Senior Department of Transportation Initiatives for the Council, as he addresses a number of frequently asked questions regarding the dangerous driving habit. These topics include the science behind the distraction, the most common consequences of driver distractions and ways to prevent these types of accidents. Teater urges all companies to create a cell-phone policy for employees to help save lives on the job.
Teater’s 12-year-old son was the victim of a distracted driving traffic crash. He was killed back in 2004 by a motorist that was using a cell phone while driving. This is one of many reasons as to why Teater has taken such a strong stance against the dangerous driving habit. He has previously spoken to several state legislatures and the U.S. Congress to rally for support of a stricter cell phone regulations for drivers.
“Cell phone use and driving are a dangerous, and oftentimes deadly, combination,” said Teater.
In the state of New York, drivers are prohibited from using electronic devices to:
- View, transmit or take pictures or images.
- Play games.
- Send, access, transmit, compose, read, save, browse or retrieve any sort of electronic data, including e-mail, web pages or text messages.
Under New York’s law, drivers will not be penalized for using hand-held electronic devices that have been affixed to a surface on your vehicle. Drivers will also not be penalized for using a GPS system that has been affixed to the vehicle or if a driver is using a hand-held device to contact authorities in the event of an emergency.
If your or someone you love has been involved in a New York car accident with a distracted driver, contact the Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC for experienced advice about your rights. For a free consultation call 1-877-313-ROSE (7673) today.
More Blog Entries:
New York, Northeast Region Noted for Dangerous Drivers Involved in Most Car Accidents, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, September 14, 2011
Speeding and Driver Inattention Are Common Causes of Teen Car Accidents in New York City, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, August 29, 2011
