Preventing North Carolina Car Accidents: Texting while Driving Becomes Illegal in the State Beginning December 1
Beginning tomorrow, it will become illegal for drivers to read e-mails, surf the Web, play games or music or take pictures with a cell phone, or text while driving in North Carolina. Drivers caught breaking the law will be subject to a $100 fine in addition to court expenses.
This can be a tough law to enforce, considering that drivers can still use their phones to talk on the phone while driving. A police officer might not be able to tell whether a motorist is dialing a number or sending a text.
Still, banning texting while driving will hopefully give people additional incentive to stop this dangerous distracted driving habit. UNC Highway Safety Research Center senior research associate Arthur Goodwin says texting is one of the “most dangerous” activities a motorist can engage in while behind the wheel.
Some studies suggest that texting increases the risk of a car crash happening by at least 23 times. Another study reported that texting slows down a driver’s ability to react to emergencies and increases the likelihood that a motorist might accidentally move into another lane or oncoming traffic. Other studies have compared using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle to driving while drunk.
At this point, many people continue to text while driving even with mounting evidence that engaging in this activity while operating a motor vehicle can kill people.
Both texting while driving and talking on a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle—even though the latter isn’t illegal in North Carolina—can be considered negligent activities if a motorist injures or kills someone while engaged in either activity. If you or someone you loved was injured by a distracted driver, an experienced Charlotte, North Carolina car accident law firm can help you determine whether you have grounds for filing a personal injury claim or a wrongful death lawsuit.
Ban On Texting While Driving Kicks In Tues, WXII2.com, November 30, 2009
Texting While Driving MORE DANGEROUS Than Talking On Cell Phone, Huffington Post, July 29, 2009
New laws to target texting, reptiles, News-Record, November 29, 2009
Related Web Resources:
State Cell Phone Driving Laws, GHSA
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