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NHTSA Recommends Regulating Use Of Distracting Electronics

by on March 21, 2012 in Accident, accidental death, cell phone ban, distracted driving, NHTSA, texting while driving

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is defending it’s proposal that automakers block drivers from using their GPS devices or Web searches while in motion.

According to the agency, 3,000 people died in distracted driving crashes last year, even though the data showed the most common distraction was other passengers and reaching for an item. Only three percent of those killed included distraction by an electronic device.

The proposal was posed in February, but some opponents of stricter regulation argue that locking a person out of the car devices would only encourage them to turn to their cellular phones more, in turn causing a higher rate of distraction than is seen currently.

If these guidelines are implemented, a driver would be prevented from sending or receiving text messages, browsing the Internet, tweeting or posting status updates, entering addresses into navigation systems as well as additional activities.

Studies have shown that even handheld devices don’t necessarily reduce the risk of a serious accident.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured by a distracted driver, it is imperative to speak to an experienced Chicago personal injury attorney immediately for a free consultation to review your case. Call us today.

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Two Bills Targeting Driving With Cell Phones Pass House

by on March 13, 2012 in Accident, car accident, cell phone ban, legislation

The Illinois House passed legislation last week in an effort to protect the public from distracted drivers.

On Thursday, the House passed legislation making it illegal to use a handheld cell phone while driving. Although some areas, like Chicago, already have such a ban in place, this is a first for the whole state.

Violators would be cited and fined $75 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, $125 for a third offense and $150 for a fourth or subsequent offense.

On Friday, the House passed a law banning drivers from using cell phones while passing through emergency areas.

Violators would receive a traffic citation and a fine of up to $70. In the legislation, an emergency area is any and all areas where an emergency vehicle is parked with lights on.

Currently, it is illegal for drivers to talk on a cell phone while driving through construction areas and school zones.

Both bills are headed to the state Senate.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident, you may want to speak with an experienced Chicago car accident attorney today to discuss your case.

House Bill 3972

House Bill 5099

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NTSB Recommends Full Ban On Cell Phones While Driving

by on December 13, 2011 in Accident, car accident, cell phone ban, National Transportation and Safety Board, NTSB, texting ban, texting while driving

A federal board meant to overlook safety on roadways across the country made an unprecedented recommendation Tuesday morning that all states should ban the use of non-emergency cellular devices of any type by all drivers.

The only exception was those designed to assist drivers, such as GPS devices.

This comes after the NTSB reviewed a multi-vehicle crash in Grays Summit, Mo. that occurred in August 2010 on Interstate 44. The accident involved two passenger vehicles and two school buses and left two people dead and 38 people injured.

Cell phone records of one of the drivers showed frequent text activity via cell phone and led the board to conclude that driver was likely distracted by texting at the time of the accident. Eleven text messages were sent or received in eleven minutes by the driver just prior to the accident. The driver was killed in the crash.

According to officials, the 19-year-old driver of the pickup crashed into the back of a tractor trailer. His truck was then rear-ended by a school bus, which was then rear-ended by another school bus.

If you or your loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you may have the basis for a personal injury case. Contact the Chicago auto accident attorneys at Dwyer & McDevitt, Ltd. today and we can help lay out your options.

NTSB Meeting Summary >>

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