WASHINGTON, D.C.? Texting and driving is still taking place on our roadways despite awareness of its deadly consequences, but across the country new state laws are aimed at making the practice as unpopular as drinking and driving.
Indeed this week the state of Idaho became the 37th state to enact a texting while driving ban when Governor C.L. ?Butch? Otter signed a distracted driving bill Thursday into law, according to a press release by the Governors Highway Safety Association. The bill will go into effect beginning July 1, 2012. Police will now be permitted to pull over drivers suspected of texting while driving without any other traffic offense committed.
One out of every five crashes in Idaho between 2007 and 2009 cite distracted driving as a contributing factor, according to the Idaho Office of Highway Safety. The new law is aimed at reducing the number of people injured and killed in the state.
In California, texting while driving is banned for all drivers and cell phone use must be done using a hands-free device. Additionally, California is one of six states that prohibit text messaging by novice drivers and one of three states to restrict school bus drivers from texting while driving.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, California?s traffic fatalities decreased 11.9% in 2010 to 2,715, down from 3,081 the prior year in 2009. This was the lowest level since the federal government began recording traffic fatalities in 1975.
Also, California?s hand-held cell phone law enacted in 2008 has helped law enforcement step up its efforts to combat distracted driving with cell phone law convictions up 22% from 361,260 in 2010 to 460,487 in 2011. Additionally, texting convictions increased 47 percent from 7,924 in 2010 to 14,886 in 2011.
?The many victims of distracted driving accidents are thrilled to see more states step up and enact texting bans,? said Attorney West Seegmiller, founder of the Seegmiller Law Firm. ?However, there is more work to be done as 13 more states still have no ban against texting and driving and no state has a complete ban on cell phones yet.?
Have you been injured in a California or Nevada car accident by a negligent driver? Do you need a California Personal Injury Law Firm? For roughly 30 years, the legal experts at Seegmiller Law Firm have represented hundreds of clients injured in serious traffic accidents. Our legal team has also handled hundreds of wrongful death claims for families of victims killed in traffic accidents. Indeed, the car accident law firm has a proven track record supported by settlements ranging from several thousand dollars to millions.
Seegmiller is a California Personal Injury Law Firm with a track record of proven results. There is no cost to clients until our experienced team of lawyers and legal professionals have won your case. Finding the best car accident attorney can mean you will get the settlement you need to get your life back on track. Compensation for your injuries, loss of wages and pain and suffering can?t take away the trauma of the accident, but it can help you rebuild your life.
Call us today at 1-855-ASK WEST to speak with our car accident law firm. Seegmiller Law Firm has offices in California including its headquarters in Irvine. We also have offices outside of Orange County to serve you in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside and in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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