The Governors Highway Safety Association is a group that consists of all the high ranking highway safety officials through out the country. This group recently reported its recommendation that states should wait for the completion of further research prior to banning the use of cell phones while driving.
The group indicates that there is insufficient evidence out of the states that have already banned the use of hand held cellular phones that these bans have actually reduced the number of crashes on the roadways. The group does, however, urge all states to make efforts to reduce distracted driving on a whole. They encourage laws that make it illegal to text while operating a vehicle. Over half the states in the country already have such laws in place.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a report which shows that approximately 5,500 fatalities in 2009 as a result of distracted driving. The report went on to indicate that over 500,000 were injured in auto accidents with inattentive drivers.
This means that 20% of the injury crashes in that year consisted of a distracted driver.
With these statistics it is surprising that the safety groups want more direct evidence regarding the use of hand held cell phones prior to issuing laws restricting use while driving. Many motorists have become aware of these dangers and have intentionally reduced the use of cellular phones while driving on their own. Most parents do not allow teenage drivers to use their phones while operating a vehicle and are anxiously awaiting the laws that ban this in states where they don’t already exist.
Miami auto accident attorney Ruth E. Johnson has handled numerous cases involving distracted drivers. A thorough investigation of these matters is important in determining fault and obtaining damages from the responsible individual.
You may contact this office at:
8925 SW 148 Street, Suite 200 Miami FL 33176 (305) 720-2086