What’s Being Done to Prevent Pennsylvania Distracted Driving Accidents?

Distracted driving is on the rise, even though lawmakers have been taking action to curb this dangerous driving behavior. There are stories floating around of drivers who carelessly take their eyes off the road, so that they can look at their smart phones, compose a text message or even read an email. The outcomes of these tales are often tragic.

Take one recent accident for example. A dump truck crashed on I-81 in Pennsylvania, killing one person and injuring several others. Keep in mind that this truck was hauling 24 tons of rock salt at the time of the crash. Police believe the driver was distracted.

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. But can enough awareness be raised to let drivers know how deadly it is to send a quick text message or talk on a handheld device? According to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, “distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on America’s roads.”

Distracted driving killed 5,500 people in 2009. What is Pennsylvania doing about it?
In Pennsylvania, lawmakers are still trying to pass a distracted driving bill. The latest proposal would prohibit drivers under the age of 18 from using a handheld or hands-free cell phone, as well as text while driving. Drivers over the age of 18 would be banned from using handheld devices and texting. They would, though, be allowed to use a cell phone if a hands-free device is used.

Even though a statewide ban is not in place, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre, Erie and Allentown, have decided not to permit the use of handheld cell phones while driving.

The dangers of distracted driving shouldn’t be ignored.
According to Distraction.gov, the official U.S. government website for distracted driving, texting is by far one of the most dangerous forms of driver distractions. This activity results in visual, cognitive and manual (taking your hands off the wheel) impairment. Texting and driving not only puts drivers at risk of a deadly crash, but also those around them.

If you have been injured in a distracted driving accident in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, a Philadelphia car accident attorney from the law firm of Cooper & Schaffer may be able to help you.

For more information, contact us today at 888-545-4755 or filling out our online form.

Be sure to order a FREE copy of one of our books, Seven Ways to Destroy Your Pennsylvania Personal Injury Case or Seven Ways to Destroy Your New Jersey Personal Injury Case.