Texting while driving, distracted driving – whatever you call it, trying to pay attention to your phone while driving puts everyone on the road at risk. Pretty much all drivers agree that texting and driving are exceedingly dangerous, and yet a huge number of people admit to doing it. While teens are most at risk of texting while driving, they are also the main group responsible for most other high-risk driving-related activities. Law enforcement has struggled to find a way to deter people from texting and driving and a new study suggests that stiff penalties are actually saving lives.
Getting a Whooping Fine for Texting and Driving
The real penalty for texting while driving is getting into an auto accident so severe that it leaves you or an innocent party seriously injured or dead. The fact of the matter is that people who text and drive believe that they are responsible or perhaps even ‘slick’ enough to get away with it. How many times have you seen someone behind the wheel of a car in traffic, quickly shifting their eyes from the road to their lap several times in a row? There is no doubt that they are actively texting and driving, but if they feel that they can get away with their offenses without being penalized, they will do so. That is why new data on car accidents has revealed that states that do more than give drivers a slap on the wrist for texting while driving actually have lower auto accident rates.
Using a Penalty Versus Reward System
Those who get caught texting while driving usually face very steep fines. By sending or reading a text while on the road, motorists can be fined anywhere from $150 to $250, or even more if they are repeat offenders. Some might think that a reward system for safe driving might be more effective than issuing steep fines, but the proof is in the statistical results. In fact, there have been many states that have passed or are at least considering changing laws so that police can check to see if a cell phone was in use directly after an auto collision. This would mean that far fewer drivers would even be able to consider getting away with distracted driving.
Expanding Rights and Responsibilities for Drivers and Law Enforcement
In order to be able to drive legally, you have to be able to pass a test. Then you have to go to your local motor vehicle and pay to have a license issued, get your vehicle registered, and show proof that you have valid insurance. In other words, anyone who drives knows what they are required to do. Even if you don’t break any rules, it pays to find a personal injury attorney if you are involved in any type of auto accident. Now, people suspected or accused of texting and driving may also need legal representation, regardless of proof. Drivers have more responsibilities when it comes to driving safely.
It can be really convenient to send a text to someone rather than pick up the phone but if you are driving, you really need to think again. There have been countless fatal accidents that haven’t involved alcohol, but cell phone usage was a factor. This type of roadway accident is preventable, so keep your hands off your cell phone while you are operating your vehicle.
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