Louisiana Lawmakers Consider Cellphone Ban

December 14, 2012

Louisiana Lawmakers Consider Cellphone Ban

In Louisiana, 52 people were killed in traffic accidents directly caused by cellphone use between 2005 and 2009, NBC News reported recently -- and with cellphone use continuing to rise in Louisiana and around the country, the number of distracted driving accidents is only likely to increase.

One Louisiana legislator, Representative Regina Barrow of Baton Rouge, hopes to reverse the growing trend of cellphone-related traffic accidents in Louisiana by enacting a state-wide ban on hand-held cellphone use while driving. According to news reports, Barrow was spurred into action after she and her children were involved in an accident with a driver who admitted that she had been distracted by her cellphone.

Under current state law, all drivers in Louisiana are prohibited from texting while driving, regardless of age or driving experience. However, only drivers who have been licensed for less than one year are legally prohibited from talking on hand-held cellphones while driving. The recent bill, if it becomes law, would make it illegal for all drivers of any age to talk on a cellphone without the aid of a hands-free device.

Violating the ban would be a secondary offense, meaning that drivers could not be pulled over solely for using a hand-held cellphone. Instead, police officers could issue citations for using a hand-held device only after stopping a driver for another violation, such as speeding or running a red light. The bill passed in the House Transportation Committee with a vote of 9 to 7 and is now under consideration by the Louisiana House of Representatives.

Distracted drivers in Louisiana who cause traffic accidents that lead to injuries or death can be held liable for the losses and expenses arising from the accident. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a car accident with a distracted driver, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area to learn about your legal options for pursuing compensation.

Article provided by Clayton & Assoc
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