Paul Thomson of The Thomson Law Firm in Roanoke, VA offers FREE consultations to victims of personal injury in Virginia and West Virginia. Call or text today for a FREE, NO OBLIGATION consult with an intake specialist.
Remember when we thought texting was the only form of distracted driving that we needed to worry about?
It was only a few years ago that we were pushing the numbered keypads on our phones to send brief twitter style texts to our friends and family.
My, how times have changed. Now, our smartphones are simply mini-computers in our pockets. We can watch tv, stream videos from You-Tube, post selfies to Instagram and Facebook and of course, send out a text, all on this tiny device that fits in our cupholders.
Progress? Probably. My wife had a blow-out recently while traveling with our oldest child. After she managed to get the car safely to the side of the road, she used her cell phone to call AAA, used the GPS on her phone to let AAA her precise location, and texted me a picture to let me know they were okay. AAA found her, fixed the flat and she was on the road in less than an hour. So sure, a real win for cell phones.
But cell phones, especially smart phones can harm us as much as they help us. In 2018, the CDC estimated that 400,000 auto accidents were caused by cell phone distraction. That’s nearly half a million people were involved in potentially life-threatening car accidents. Sadly in 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 2,841 people were killed in accidents where distraction was listed as the cause.
And the number of deaths and vehicle accidents is increasing. Hand-held cell phone use remains as the primary method drivers are using their phones while operating a motor vehicle, even though newer vehicles sync with cell phones to allow for hands free use.
So, in an effort to make Virginia’s roadways safer, a new hands-free law went into effect on January 1, 2021. The new law makes it illegal for anyone operating a motor vehicle to hold a cell phone while that vehicle is in motion. The first offense will cost the driver $125 while a second offense will cost $250. These fines do not account for court costs which may vary. Also, if a driver is caught holding a cell phone while in a work zone, the fine is $250 whether or not there was a prior offense.
Many people may wonder why texting or looking at a cell phone screen is dangerous. The average time a driver takes to view a text is 5 seconds. While the driver may believe this is simply a glance, it is not. Five seconds while a vehicle is in motion is an eternity. In fact a vehicle traveling at 55mph will travel the length of an entire football field. Just imagine how many children, deer, or other vehicles could pull out in front of you during that time. Or another scenario, what happens if the vehicle in front of you stops suddenly? A distracted driver that is more interested in what’s happening on Facebook than in driving safely will cause an accident, a potentially fatal accident or one that causes serious injuries such as broken bones, TBI, paralysis or permanent scarring.
At The Thomson Law Firm we continue to represent car accident victims. Many of our current and former clients have sustained permanent life-altering injuries. If you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault, we invite you to explore our website, read our Google Reviews and view our results page. You will see that we have exceeded our clients expectations and have been able to obtain maximum compensation for their injuries and future medical expenses. We can help you, too. Call or text (540) 777-4900 to speak with an intake specialist about your potential case. The call is free.
