While it may seem like just a split second with eyes away from the wheel, distracted driving and texting while driving accidents are one of the most serious threats to drivers and passengers on the roadways today. Every day in the United States, over eight people are killed and 1,161 injured due to distracted drivers, reports the Center for Disease Control.
Rhode Island texting while driving personal injury attorney
One of the most common and dangerous forms of distracted driving in Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is texting while driving. At any given time across the United States and in RI, approximately 660,000 drivers are using their phones while operating a car, truck or motor vehicle, reported the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. We may rely on our smartphones for all means of communication, and even for GPS navigation, but texting and using messaging apps while driving present a real threat to roadway safety.
RI texting law:
“(b) No person shall use a wireless handset or personal wireless communication device to compose, read, or send text messages while driving a motor vehicle on any public street or public highway within the state of Rhode Island….(8) “Text Message”, also referred to as short messaging service (SMS), means the process by which users send, read, or receive messages on a wireless handset, including, but not limited to, text messages, instant messages, electronic messages, or e-mails, in order to communicate with any person or device.” TITLE 31
Motor and Other vehicles CHAPTER 31-22 Miscellaneous Rules SECTION 31-22-30
A RI texting and driving Court decision
“The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Traffic Tribunal sitting in Providence Rhode Island issued a texting while driving / distracted driving legal appellate decision in STATE OF RHODE ISLAND v JASON KILSEY C.A. No. T13-0056 : 13001519371 (Keep in mind that this Court is a low level Court which is not binding precedent on the Providence Superior Court or the RI District Court or The Rhode Island Supreme Court.) Read Rhode Island’s Texting While Driving Statute: § 31-22-30 Text messaging while operating a motor vehicle ,
Distracted driving statistics:
The U.S. government’s official website on distracted driving reports that “In 2014, 3,179 people were killed, and 431,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.”
- Some estimate that one quarter of all of the auto accidents and wrecks that take place today in the United States happen because of texting and driving.
- While the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute showed that texting can raise the risk of a crash by up to 23 times, an Erie Insurance survey showed that one-third of drivers today admit to texting while driving.
Impact of texting and car crash
Drivers, especially young drivers such as teenagers (teens), underestimate the impact of texting on their driving proficiency. 20% of young drivers aged 18 to 20 claimed that texting did not affect their driving, while that number climbed to 30% for drivers aged 21 to 34, according to the NHTSA.
“Massachusetts drivers, take heed — police officers will keep a sharp lookout this month for those who illegally send text messages and check their e-mail behind the wheel. The state’s Highway Safety Division is teaming up with state and local police in more than 140 cities and towns in a statewide crackdown on distracted driving from Friday until the end of the month. The effort is part of a national campaign called “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” Boston Globe
A Rhode Island personal injury attorney filed car accident claim
If you are injured by a driver who was texting while driving in Providence, you may be able to file a claim for your personal injury and damages in Providence Superior Court caused to you by their actions. A driver breaking the law texting while driving may be held liable for your injuries. If you establish the responsibility of a driver for causing your injuries while texting and driving, you could potentially obtain compensation for your costs and damages suffered as a result of the crash. Texting while driving is a dangerous and potentially deadly behavior that can lead to accidents and fatalities on the road. When a person texts while driving, their attention is diverted from the road, making it difficult to react to changing traffic conditions and hazards. This distraction can result in accidents that may cause injury or even death to the driver, passengers, and others on the road.
It’s important to emphasize the risks and consequences of texting while driving to raise awareness about the dangers associated with this behavior. Many countries and states have implemented laws and campaigns to discourage texting while driving and promote safe driving practices. If you or someone you know has been involved in an accident due to texting while driving, it’s crucial to seek legal assistance and report the incident to the appropriate authorities. Distracted driving accidents are preventable and raising awareness about the dangers of using a mobile device while driving is an essential step in reducing such accidents and their tragic consequences.
Texting and driving accidents resulting in death are tragically common occurrences
Texting and driving accidents resulting in death are tragically common occurrences that highlight the dangers of distracted driving. When a driver is distracted by texting or using a mobile device while operating a vehicle, their attention is diverted from the road, significantly increasing the risk of accidents. These accidents can result in fatalities for various reasons:
- Loss of Focus: Texting while driving requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention, taking the driver’s focus away from the road. This decreases reaction times and increases the likelihood of failing to notice hazards or other vehicles, leading to collisions.
- Delayed Reaction Time: Even a few seconds of distraction can be critical when driving. Texting and driving can delay a driver’s reaction time to unexpected events, such as sudden braking or changes in traffic patterns, making it difficult to avoid accidents.
- Increased Risk of Collisions: Texting while driving often involves the driver taking their eyes off the road for extended periods. This increases the chances of the driver drifting out of their lane, running red lights or stop signs, or failing to see pedestrians or cyclists.
- Severity of Accidents: Due to the combination of speed and distraction, accidents caused by texting and driving can be particularly severe. The force of impact in these accidents can result in serious injuries or fatalities for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and others involved.
- Legal Consequences: In many jurisdictions, texting while driving is illegal and may result in criminal charges or civil liability if it leads to an accident resulting in injury or death.
Efforts to combat texting and driving include public awareness campaigns, stricter laws and penalties, and technological solutions such as smartphone apps that disable certain functions while driving. However, despite these efforts, texting and driving accidents continue to occur, underscoring the importance of education and enforcement in promoting safer driving habits. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries or other damages as a result of a texting driver, reach out to an experienced Rhode Island personal injury lawyer who is also a RI car accident attorney who can review the facts of your situation and help you to work to achieve justice in your case.