New law regarding texting and driving have mixed reviews

May 16, 2013

According to the Post Gazette, although fatalities among teenage drivers increased nationally during the first six months of 2012, Pennsylvania has actually experienced a decrease in the number of such fatalities.

Last year Governor Tom Corbett signed a bill into law that made it a primary offense for individuals to text while driving. With this classification as a primary offense, a police officer can pull over an individual who is texting while driving, even if there is no other reason to do so.

Governor Corbett was not alone in implementing this type of regulation. In fact, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that 39 states and the District of Columbia have outlawed texting while driving. Unfortunately, however, the new law does not seem to be decreasing the amount of drivers who are texting behind the wheel. In fact, State Representative Joseph Markosek of Monroeville is now behind legislation that will ban all use of hand-held devises while driving.

Is the law working?
This new law may be having real effects in Pittsburgh when it comes to protecting motorists from the injuries associated with distracted driving crashes. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, teens are taught about the dangers of distracted driving and of the $50 fine associated with texting behind the wheel. This overall awareness could be a contributing factor to the decrease in traffic fatalities in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania continues to take action
March marks the one year anniversary of PA's texting while driving law. According to HPTV, the PA legislature has declared April 2013 "Distracted Driving Awareness Month."

As part of the newly minted awareness month, the House hopes to remind drivers of the necessity of mindful driving. Concerned with the safety of the drivers, and all those around them, the legislators are urging drivers to refrain from driving while distracted.

Although some of the statistics are mixed about whether it's possible to use legislation to stamp out texting and driving and other driver distractions. Despite all of the attempts, drivers do still carelessly drive while distracted. When a driver makes this choice, other drivers and passengers may be at a serious risk for injury or even death.

A small fine may serve as a minor deterrent, but it's clear that traffic fatalities are increasing across the U.S. Motorists who are injured due to the negligent decisions of other drivers, like texting and driving, should be aware of the right to compensation for injuries and damages that result.

Negligent motorists may be held responsible
Despite the haphazard results of the state's efforts, there is one factor present in all automobile accidents involving texting drivers: the driver. When an individual's carelessness behind the wheel results in an accident, he or she may be held responsible for their conduct.

An individual who has been injured by a texting driver should contact an experienced attorney. An experienced attorney will not only work to see that the injured person is justly compensated for any resulting medical bills, lost wages and even pain and suffering associated with the crash.

Website: http://pittsburghcaraccidentlawyer.org/