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Distracted Driving Continues, Fairfax Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer and Car Accident Attorney Notes Cell Phone Laws Are Not Working
October 15, 2010
Topic: Personal Injury
Distracted driving remains a huge problem in America, despite various cell phone laws banning texting and talking while driving. Recently, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood convened a summit on the issue.
A report issued on Sept. 28 by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) found that that laws banning texting while driving did not result in fewer car crashes. Further, the report indicated that after the bans went into effect, there was actually a slight increase in the frequency of insurance claims filed under collision coverage for damage to vehicles in crashes.
Similar findings were recently reported in a study conducted by the AAA of Southern California.
Certain counties, like Fairfax, have indicated that they intend to use provisions under the county code to stop distracted driving, such as texting while driving.
However, the Fairfax County Code section being used, 82-4-24, carries not points and only a maximum fine of $250. If a person is not afraid of paying the ticket, they are not likely to be deterred from engaging in careless, negligent driving behavior.
While criminal or traffic laws are slow to catch up with such behavior, drivers that injure others through such careless behavior will be held accountable financially under civil negligence laws. Fairfax and Northern Virginia Personal Injury Attorneys and Fairfax Virginia Car Accident and Crash Lawyers have been using such conduct for the basis for lawsuits for some time.
