Beginning November 1st, Wisconsin will begin a ban on using a cellular or other wireless phone for drivers using a probationary license or instruction permit. The ban includes all ages, and is based on the driver’s credentials, so it could include drivers from another country, those with revoked permits, or new state residents. The fine is $20-40 for the first offense, and it rises from there. A State Patrol officer said they hoped the law will prevent teens and other drivers who aren’t as experienced from using their phone while driving. Drivers who are new state residents with fewer than three years of driving experience are also included, according to news reports.
Tag Archives: cell phone ban
City Cracks Down on Distracted Drivers
Garden City is cracking down on distracted drivers. Drivers cited with a distracted driving citation is expected to pay $155. Constable Collyn Steckley has stated that he could cite 15 drivers easily for cellphone usage. The constable has observed drivers drifting away from their lanes or having no control on their speed. Most of the drivers Steckley has puled over was for cellphone usage while driving.
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Distracted drivers abound on Garden City roads
Teens Ignore Cell Phone Ban
A North Carolina has found that teenage drivers in the state actually text while operating a vehicle more than before the ban on texting and driving was enacted two years ago. Teens who text are significantly more likely to get into accidents than others. The abuse of the ban is being blamed on the difficulty of enforcing no texting laws and lack of danger awareness on the part of teens.
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Many teens ignoring N.C. cellphone ban, study shows
Phone Calls Still Permitted for Idaho Drivers
Idaho has passed a ban on texting while driving. This is not meant as a money-making move, and has primarily served as a deterrent, with few actual citations issued. Officers have some leeway in how the new law is interpreted, extending beyond just texting to things such as accessing the web on a mobile device. Phone calls and hands-free phone usage are still permitted.
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Montana Debates Cell Phone Laws
Several cities in Montana are debating whether to ban cell phone use while driving. While bans already in place in some cities appear to be working, increasing the ban to other areas is now in question for voting. Not all agree, however, including Councilman Rick Dow, who has been contesting his own issue of cell phone use and citation while driving.
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City on verge of voting on the hot issue of driving with cellphones
NTSB Recommends Banning Cell Phones While Driving
Transportation safety experts advised today that all American drivers be banned from using electronic devices while driving. There are only two exceptions, a GPS navigation device, and using a cell phone in an emergency. “No call, no text, no update, is worth a human life,” Deborah Hersman, chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board, said at a news conference in Washington. They also urged manufacturers to “disable the functions of portable electronic devices within reach of the driver when a vehicle is in motion” but allow access to those devices in an emergency. The senior vice president of the Consumer Electronics Association endorsed the recommendation, according to news reports. “It may be that NTSB, in searching for a solution, is not aware of all of the technologies that exist today, and that is one reason we look forward to the opportunity to work with them,” he said.
As an Alexandria car accident lawyer, I always urge drivers to avoid distraction by pulling over the vehicle before using a cell phone. If you or a loved one were harmed in an auto accident, discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer who can discuss your claim, and any important legal questions you may have regarding your case. A personal injury lawyer can help you through your case by guiding you through the legal processes associated with your case in order to reach the best possible outcome for your claim.
Number of Texting Drivers Increases
A study recently released shows that texting has risen 50% in the past year. Two of ten drivers admit to texting or sending emails while driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted the study through observing drivers at intersection. Around 1% of drivers were using hand-held devices, up from .6% the previous year. Drivers using headsets increased to .9%, up from .6%. Another survey showed 18% of drivers say they’ve texted while driving. Half of drivers 21-24 say they’ve texted behind the wheel, according to news reports.
Most drivers also admit they will not only answer a call while driving, but continue to talk on the phone. A spokesman for the Governors Highway Safety Asssociation said the rise in texting drivers. “It is clear that educational messages alone aren’t going to change their behavior,” he said. “Rather, good laws with strong enforcement are what is needed. Many drivers won’t stop texting until they fear getting a ticket. The increase shows what an uphill challenge distracted driving remains.”
As a Washington DC car accident lawyer, I hope fewer drivers use their cell phone behind the wheel. If you or a loved one were hurt in an auto accident, discuss your case with a personal injury attorney who can evaluate your claim, assess your case, help defend your rights, and answer any legal questions you have concerning your case. A personal injury lawyer can help guide you through the legal processes associated with your case in order to help ensure the best possible outcome.
Agency Recommends Banning Texting
Texting and cell phone bans for truckers is being encouraged by a US highway safety agency. The National Transportation Safety Board agreed and passed the recommendation during a hearing in Washington on Tuesday, which will be passed to the Federal Motor carrier Safety Administration, along with 50 states. A trucker in Kentucky crossed over the median and smashed into a family in 2010, killing 11 people. It was discovered the driver was making a call with his cell phone at the time of the accident. The agency conducted driver inspections for the company, which resulted in 21 drivers being taken out of service, according to news reports.
As a car accident lawyer, my thoughts are with the family of those harmed. I hope nobody else was hurt in this collision. If you or a loved one were harmed in an auto accident, discuss your case with a Silver Spring personal injury lawyer who can evaluate your case and help protect your rights, along with answer any important legal questions you may have regarding your claim.
Mom’s Participate in “Only Fools Text and Drive Day”
Baltimore and Washington, DC moms are joining together to prevent drivers from texting while behind the wheel. The national demonstration, being held on April Fool’s, is called “Only Fools Text and Drive Day.” A non-profit group called the Mommies Network is organizing the event. A group member said “A lot of us are driving around with little ones and worried about the other crazy drivers on the road.” There are 455 registered members of the national group altogether. The women participating in the national campaign say this is the cause of their generation of mom’s, much like Mothers Against Drunk Driving pushing to end drunk driving. The efforts to end texting and driving also compare to campaigns to wear seatbelts.
According to news reports, legislators in Maryland are considering whether to enact a law that would make it illegal to use a cell phone even when the car is idling at a stop light. Also proposed is making it unlawful to read text messages while operating a car. Currently, only sending texts is prohibited. As a Maryland personal injury lawyer, I hope that the grassroots campaign brings more awareness to the dangers of texting and driving. If you or a loved one are harmed in a car collision caused by reckless driving, discuss your case with a car accident lawyer Maryland who can evaluate your claim, assess your case, and help defend your rights.