Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog
Distracted driving accidents are happening more frequently than ever before, likely due to the fact that cell phone use, whether it be talking or texting in vehicles, is a common occurrence. Such distractions can take your mind and your eyes away from the road where they belong. Boston car accidents continue to occur every day because of distracted driving.
Certainly, resolving to put your cell phone down and drive would be a great way to start 2011. Our Boston car accident attorneys encourage you to do so and to talk to your friends and family members in an effort to keep them safe.
In the news recently was the arrest of a woman who was reportedly texting when she kiled an 80-year-old pedestrian crossing the street. The Hartford Courant reported that the driver will be charged with gross vehicular manslaughter.
Texting is the most dangerous form of driving distracted according to Distraction.gov because it involves three key components of taking eyes off the road, hands off the steering wheel, and the mind off of driving. In 2008, almost 6,000 people died because of distracted driving accidents. Distractions were the cause of 20% of all crashes in 2008, while the younger generation with less driving experience was the most at-risk age group. In fact, drivers who use hand held devices are four times as likely to get in a car crash and be seriously injured as someone not driving with a distraction of some sort in their hands.
Massachusetts now has a ban on cell phone use for bus drivers and drivers under the age of 18 with a learner’s permit, as well as a ban on texting for all drivers. Law enforcement officials no longer need a secondary reason to pull you over. As of September, texting is considered a primary offense and reason enough for officers to hand out a ticket to drivers in violation.
Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers is ready to assist you in the Boston area if you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident. Call for a free consultation at 877-617-5333.