July 11, 2012 (Press-News.org) Police and other law enforcement officers in Pennsylvania are struggling to enforce the new texting while driving ban that went into effect in March. State and local police say that they are responding to the enforcement challenge by formulating a strategy that will minimize their time in court making the charges stick while continuing to enforce what some critics say is a weak law.
The reason for the criticisms of the law is that while the law makes texting while driving a primary offense--meaning that a police officer can pull over a person that they observe to be texting while driving--the law does not prohibit motorists from having a cell phone or wireless device in their hand, or from using a cell phone to make a call. This technicality makes it difficult for police to prove that the driver was actually texting.
Somerset Borough Police Chief Randy Cox told the Daily American, "We can't seize their phones and people drive while using their devices to read email or use the Internet. I think the legislature dropped the ball. It's a watered-down version of what was originally in the bill, which was to ban the use of hand-held devices while driving."
Critics of the new law say that a tougher law is needed, as there were 14,000 motor vehicle accidents in Pennsylvania during 2010 in which distracted driving was a factor. A ban on cell phone use had passed the Pennsylvania Senate last year. However, the cell phone ban was taken out of the final bill as part of a legislative compromise.
Five weeks into the new law, the Pennsylvania State Police said that its troopers only had issued 31 citations. According to a department spokesperson, this number only represents a small fraction of the warnings that were handed out.
About the New Law
The texting while driving ban prohibits drivers from sending, reading or writing text messages while the motor vehicle is in motion. Phones, computers and other devices that can send text messages are devices that are included in the ban. However, GPS devices or communication systems that are integrated into the motor vehicle are not included among the prohibited devices. Violators of the ban are assessed a $50 fine.
Despite a lack of a strong legislative response, distracted driving remains a significant problem on Pennsylvania's roadways. If you have been injured by a car accident caused by a texting or distracted driver, contact an attorney experienced with motor vehicle accident. An attorney can investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident and work to hold those who are responsible accountable.
Article provided by Hal Waldman & Associates
Visit us at www.waldmaninc.com
New Texting Law a Challenge to Pennsylvania Law Enforcement
The new Pennsylvania texting law is proving to be difficult to enforce.
2012-07-11
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Ashley's Law Could Ease Caps on Damage Awards Against School Districts
2012-07-11
Pennsylvania lawmakers may be ready to correct a wrong and lift an arbitrary damage cap that punished one young woman simply for getting hurt on school grounds.
In 2007, Ashley Zauflk was seriously injured when she was run over by an out-of-control school bus while on school grounds in the Pennsbury School District. Zauflick was in a coma for over a month and eventually had to have her left leg amputated above the knee.
Despite winning her lawsuit against the school district, Zauflick's award was limited due to an archaic law on Pennsylvania's books that capped damage ...
Florida's Ignition Interlock Program: How It Could Affect You
2012-07-11
A DUI conviction in Florida can have personal, financial and legal consequences that can significantly impact your life. Losing your license not only presents a major obstacle to holding down a job, but also can hinder your ability to do the things you love. Unfortunately, even after you have recovered your license, the state may require you to install what is called an ignition interlock device in your car.
What Is an Ignition Interlock Device?
An ignition interlock device will not allow a driver to start or maintain movement of a vehicle if his blood alcohol level ...
Protecting Your Rights as an Unmarried Father in Georgia
2012-07-11
So you're about to become a dad -- congratulations! Getting ready for a new baby is a big job, but if you and the baby's mother are not married, there is one important task you need to take care of. You need to establish paternity and go through the process of legitimating your child. If you don't, you will have no legal rights regarding the care and custody of the child.
In Georgia, when a child is born outside of a marriage, the mother is the only person allowed to have legal or physical custody of the child. There are no automatic fathers' rights. This is true even ...
Obama Announces New Immigration Policy for Young People Living in the U.S.
2012-07-11
President Obama announced a new immigration policy that will allow certain young people who were brought into the United States as young children and meet other requirements, to be considered for relief from removal from the country.
This policy incorporates some of the features of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM), which Congress failed to pass.
Young people who meet the requirements will be eligible to receive deferred action for a period of two years, and the deferral will be subject to renewal after the two years. At this point, ...
State Supreme Court Addresses Consumer Responsibility in Lemon Law Ruling
2012-07-11
The Wisconsin Lemon Law gives consumers the right to get a timely refund or replacement vehicle from a car manufacturer when a vehicle they purchased is defective. The Wisconsin Supreme Court recently ruled that unless a consumer intentionally prevents the manufacturer from issuing a timely refund, under the Lemon Law, the manufacturer is responsible for paying the money within 30 days of the consumer's request.
Case History
The ruling was based on the case of businessman Marco Marquez, who bought a Mercedes-Benz E320 in 2005 and tried to get a refund for the $56,000 ...
Record Number of Veterans Applying for VA Disability Benefits
2012-07-11
There can be no doubt that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are having a significant impact on returning veterans. Even though death rates are lower than in previous wars, the fighting isn't any less violent.
Today, however, there is better medical care which means that more soldiers are surviving their injuries. But, as a result, more veterans are returning home with service-connected disabilities like wounded or missing limbs and traumatic brain injury. Of course, physical disabilities aren't the only scars of war -- many veterans return home with service-related ...
Brain Injuries Can Result From Truck Accidents
2012-07-11
Trucks traverse Ohio's busy highways in large numbers, and accidents involving trucks are common. Among the possible effects of a truck accident are traumatic brain injuries, known as TBI.
Collisions and Brain Injuries
A TBI is the result of an external force exerted on the brain, and motor vehicle collisions are one of the most common causes of TBI.
In a study published in Brain Injury in 2002, scientists analyzed the relationship between features of accidents and severity of TBI suffered by victims. TBIs were most common in collisions where a vehicle was struck ...
Proactive Stance Succeeds for Kenosha County Clients
2012-07-11
A Waukegan, Illinois personal injury attorney from Salvi & Maher, LLC prevails for another client.
Salvi & Maher, LLC is pleased for a large jury verdict ruling in favor of their client. With the help of attorney Michael Maher, the client's personal injury settlement will help with medical costs and compensation.
A DePaul University Law School graduate, Michael Maher practice area focus consists of auto accidents, slip and falls, dog bites, medical malpractice, defective products, and wrongful death. With a strong focus on auto accidents, Michael Maher helped ...
Kalamazoo Clients Prevail from Aggressive Defense
2012-07-11
Kalamazoo-based Kalamazoo criminal defense law firm Aggressive Criminal Defense Law Firm- a division of Willis Law protects another of their clients.
Initially, their client faced a misdemeanor for a destruction of property charge. With the help of an aggressive defense, the client's charge was dismissed and avoided from their criminal record.
Destruction of property, also known as vandalism, can be a serious crime leading to high fines and possible imprisonment depending on the property value.
The aggressive stance of the Aggressive Criminal Defense Law Firm ...
$2 Million Verdict for Surveillance Victim
2012-07-11
The woman and the doctor had been involved in a romantic relationship that ended after 6 years together. About a year after the relationship ended, the woman called a plumber to fix a leak in her home. While he was working, he found sophisticated surveillance equipment hidden in the crawl space under the woman's house. The woman immediately called the police.
Upon questioning, the doctor admitted to installing the video and audio surveillance equipment in the woman's bedroom and bathroom. The cameras could be accessed by anyone with a receiver in proximity to the woman's ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Could reducing inflammation help combat fatigue in people with early-stage breast cancer?
Traumatic brain injuries in older adults linked to increased risk of dementia
New intervention helps pediatricians promote early peanut introduction to prevent peanut allergy
New survey: Most Americans believe plasma donation saves lives, yet few have donated
New tools boost pediatricians’ adherence to peanut allergy guidelines 15-fold
Research unearths origins of Ancient Egypt’s Karnak Temple
Reevaluating nonoperative management for pediatric uncomplicated acute appendicitis
Metabolically active visceral fat linked to aggressive endometrial cancer, new study reveals
Scientists glimpse how enzymes “dance” while they work, and why that’s important
California partnership aided COVID-19 response and health equity, report finds
University of Oklahoma secures $19.9 million for revolutionary radar technology
Study finds restoring order to dividing cancer cells may prevent metastasis
High-accuracy tumor detection with label-free microscopy and neural networks
Wayne State research reveals fetuses exposed to Zika virus have long-term immune challenges
Researchers deconstruct chikungunya outbreaks to improve prediction and vaccine development
Study finds one-year change on CT scans linked to future outcomes in fibrotic lung disease
Discovery of a novel intracellular trafficking pathway in plant cells
New tool helps forecast volcano slope collapses and tsunamis
Molecular coating cleans up noisy quantum light
From Parkinson's to rare diseases, discovered a key switch for cellular health
Tiny sugars in the brain disrupt emotional circuits, fueling depression
Mini-organs reveal how the cervix defends itself
Africa, climate, and food: How to feed a continent without increasing its carbon footprint
Researchers demonstrates substrate design principles for scalable superconducting quantum materials
How better software choices could cut US health care costs
Concussion history in NCAA athletes yields mixed health outcomes
Counting plastic reveals hidden waste and sparks action
Warming oceans may pose a serious threat to American lobsters
Deaths from drug-induced unintentional injury rise across the US
In car crashes with pedestrians, age and zip code may predict extent of traumatic injuries
[Press-News.org] New Texting Law a Challenge to Pennsylvania Law EnforcementThe new Pennsylvania texting law is proving to be difficult to enforce.