Tag Archives: washington county laws

Hand-Held Phone Use a Secondary Offense

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Drivers continue to use hand-held phones while driving, despite a law that went into effect over one year ago. Police say this is because the violation is a secondary offense, which means police can’t pull over a driver for using their cell phone unless they are also violating another law. Many motorists are not respecting the law, and a Washington County Sheriff thinks that people would pay more attention if it were a primary offense. “Of all the drivers out there, I would say that at least 40 percent of the people use their cellphone,” said the officer. “A lot of traffic accidents and a lot of traffic violations are caused by people using their cellphones.” According to news reports, sending text messages while driving is a primary offense.

As a Washington DC car accident lawyer, I hope that nobody is adversely affected in an auto accident. If you or a loved one were harmed by an unsafe driver, discuss your case with a personal injury lawyer who can evaluate your claim, assess your case, and answer any important legal questions you may have regarding your case. A personal injury lawyer can help guide 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.

Lawmakers Promote Mo-Ped, Scooter Laws

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Stricter mo-ped and motor scooter laws are being promoted by two Washington County law enforcement officers, along with other lawmakers. Laws they would like to see enacted include a helmet law. “It amazes me we’ve had as few fatalities as we’ve had with these scooters and mo-peds,” one of the officers said. “I hate to say it, but it comes down to common sense. There’s no law to enforce people to use common sense.” Currently, Maryland law does not require helmets or insurance for mo-ped or motor-scooter riders.

According to news reports, a motor-scooter rider succumbed to his injuries after a crash in Hagerstown May 6. May 11, a man was critically injured when he crashed his scooter on US 11. Neither men wore helmets. Maryland’s Sentate approved a bill to improve safety, however the House of Delegates did not pass the bill. It would have made helmets mandatory and require riders to obtain tiles, registrations, and insurance. “These are not bicycles; they are motorized vehicles that can go up to 40 miles per hour,” said a State Senator. “It is not fair to other motorists who have to recoup the cost of an accident only by suing the rider …. They should be held to the same standards as car and motorcycle operators.”

As an Arlington auto accident lawyer, I look forward to hearing more about these safety issues concerning mandating helmets and insurance. If you or a loved one were harmed in a crash caused by negligence, discuss your case with an Arlington personal injury lawyer.