Chatty Cathy? Try Chatty Charles -- Distracted Driving in Connecticut
Distracted driving in Connecticut continues to be a serious concern, and more men than women are receiving citations for talking or texting while driving.
September 08, 2012
The Associated Press recently reviewed traffic citation data in Connecticut in an effort to determine the effects of the laws governing distracted driving. The laws were first implemented in 2006. Connecticut drivers may find the results to be somewhat surprising.The AP found that Connecticut men have received more tickets for talking or texting on their cellphones than Connecticut women. According to the AP, while women account for over 50 percent of the licensed drivers in Connecticut, men have received between 52 and 54 percent of the tickets for distracted driving each year.
Some experts suggest this discrepancy can be explained by the propensity of men to participate in risky activities. They bolster their argument by pointing to traffic fatality statistics, as more men than women die in traffic accidents annually.
Regardless of the reasons, it is critical for Connecticut drivers of any gender to be aware of the state's distracted driving laws and adhere to them.
Connecticut's Distracted Driving Laws
In Connecticut, all drivers are prohibited from using handheld cellphones and texting while driving. Drivers who disobey these laws receive a ticket for $125 -- the penalty increases to $250 after a second incident.
In addition, bus drivers and novice drivers are prohibited from using cellphones altogether, whether handheld or hands-free. If drivers under 18 years of age are caught using their cellphones, their license may be suspended.
In 2010 and 2011, Connecticut was part of a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to increase public awareness and police enforcement of distracted driving laws. The agency initiated a campaign with the catch phrase "phone in one hand, ticket in the other." In addition, Hartford police instituted a "high-visibility enforcement" technique to catch distracted drivers, essentially increasing police enforcement of the distracted driving laws. The results were staggering. Over a one-year period, Hartford drivers who used hand-held cellphones dropped by 57 percent. The number of drivers who read or sent text messages while on the road decreased by 72 percent during that period.
While Connecticut has strict laws regulating distracted driving, accidents caused by drivers talking or texting on their cellphones continue to be a problem. According to the NHTSA, over 3,000 people died in motor vehicle accidents caused by distracted drivers in 2010. In addition, around 416,000 people sustained injuries in such collisions.
A study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that drivers who send or receive text messages must take their eyes off the road for around 4.6 seconds. While this may not sound like enough time to cause harm, when a vehicle is traveling at 55 mph, 4.6 seconds is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.
Consequently, researchers found that people who text while driving are 23 times more likely to cause an accident than those who are focusing on the road.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by a distracted driver, consulting with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can ensure your rights are protected and you receive just compensation.
Article provided by Brian J. Mongelluzzo
Visit us at www.bjmlaw.com