Since the advent of cell phones, the war against distracted driving has been raging. More and more safety advocates are discovering the devastating effects of distracted driving and doing all that they can to reduce those effects. More states are now implementing education and enforcement efforts to combat cellphone-linked distracted driving. A new report by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) rights that the states are starting to recognize the serious, life-threatening consequences of distracted driving and want to keep their locals safe.
The Executive Director of the GHSA says that battling distracted driving is an uphill battle. Many states don't have the finances to enhance enforcement of distracted driving, and some can't afford to create educational and media materials that could discourage the practice. Unfortunately, the public is also unwilling to put down their cell phones, and it truly is a war to try and encourage them to do so. In busy America, many drivers believe that they need to maximize each moment by multitasking.
Surfing the web, sending e-mails, and text messaging while behind the wheel are allegedly ways to save time. What many of these distracted drivers don't understand is that one wrong move could drastically affect their time table. In fact, individuals who have been injured in a car accident may spend months recovering, and their attempt to save time with a text message will backfire drastically.
A new GHSA report shows that many states are starting to collect data about distracted driving and are working to enforce laws against the problem as their budgets will permit. Some states are using new media to educate the public. Most of the time, the states focus on teens at risk, as this is the age group most likely to text and drive or use their phones and drive. In 39 states, distracted driving has been declared a priority issue. In 2010, only 28 states considered this a priority issue, which means that there has been a 43% increase on behalf of the states.
Currently, no state fully bans cell phone use while driving. 47 states now declare that some forms of distracted driving are illegal, such as handheld cell phone use. 41 states have laws that ban the use of texting while driving. In 2010, only 28 states had this law in place. In 2010, most police did not enforce distracted driving laws strictly. Now, most law enforcement agencies are making it a top priority to pull over drivers that are on their phones while operating their vehicles.
47 states say that they will take steps to educated drivers about distracted driving, and many companies are using social media, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter to help get the message out. The use of social media to advocate this cause has risen by 125% of over the past three years. This year alone, 27 states added efforts to contact and reach teens that have the highest distracted driving crash risk.
States are trying to reach teens at their schools, in driver's education courses, and in other areas so that they can explain the dangers of distracted driving and the devastating consequences that occur frequently. If you want more information about distracted driving, or if you have recently been involved in a distracted driving accident, then you need assistance from a car accident attorney today. If you were not at-fault for the collision, then you have permission to seek compensation from the party that is. Hire a local car accident attorney today to get optimal representation on your case. This directory can help you to find a qualified attorney nearest you!