Does Michigan need stricter distracted driving laws?

Some people in Michigan are wondering whether the penalties for texting while driving should be harsher.

2013-03-13

March 13, 2013 (Press-News.org) Does Michigan need stricter distracted driving laws?

Article provided by MATZ & PIETSCH PC
Visit us at http://www.matzandpietsch.com

In the age of cellphone addiction, distracted drivers have become a common phenomenon on our roadways -- often leading to serious motor vehicle accidents. In 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 3,331 people lost their lives in distracted driving accidents across the country. In addition, approximately 387,000 people sustained personal injuries in such crashes that year.

To prevent these dangerous collisions, many states -- including Michigan -- have enacted distracted driving laws, prohibiting certain types of risky behaviors. In Michigan, all motorists are banned from texting while behind the wheel.

Texting bans are considered especially important, as texting distracts drivers visually, manually and cognitively. According to a study conducted by Virginia Tech, drivers who text while behind the wheel are 23 times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident than non-distracted drivers.

Some people in Michigan are questioning whether the penalties associated with the texting while driving law are severe enough to deter drivers from participating in this hazardous behavior. The texting ban took effect in July 2010, and since then approximately 2,300 citations have been issued. Currently, motorists who receive a ticket for a first violation of the texting ban are fined $100. All subsequent violations result in a fine of $200.

Avoid dangerous distracted driving accidents in Michigan

According to an analysis of Michigan State Police traffic accident data conducted by MLive.com, a minimum of 800 motor vehicle accidents caused by cellphone use have taken place each year since 2001 in the state. Over a 10-year period, there were over 9,000 motor vehicle accidents in Michigan involving some type of cellphone use -- including talking and texting.

One of the most deadly years in Michigan -- 2010 -- saw 881 auto accidents involving cellphone use, which resulted in 290 people sustaining personal injuries and five fatalities.

The Michigan State Police traffic collision data revealed that approximately one-half of all drivers involved in distracted driving accidents were in their teens or 20s. In addition, around one-third of drivers distracted by cellphones when a collision occurred were between the ages of 30 and 49.

In fact, national data has shown that younger drivers are the age group most likely to be involved in a distracted driving collision. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 11 percent of drivers under 20 years of age who caused an auto accident were distracted when the collision occurred.

When someone is injured in a distracted driving accident, he or she may be entitled to damages for the harm caused. Consulting with a skilled, Michigan personal injury attorney will ensure your rights are protected.

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Resolving workers' compensation disputes through a formal claim petition

2013-03-13

Resolving workers' compensation disputes through a formal claim petition Article provided by Kaplan & Kaplan Counselors at Law Visit us at http://www.workerscompensationlawyersnj.com People who are injured on the job or who acquire an illness or disease through their work do not have to prove fault by their employers to receive compensation for their medical care and related expenses. Certain requirements still apply, though, and workers must demonstrate that the injury or illness was caused or aggravated by a work act, exposure or accident that occurred in ...

Barking up the wrong tree: Florida drug-sniffing dogs given free rein

2013-03-13

Barking up the wrong tree: Florida drug-sniffing dogs given free rein Article provided by The Law Office of Gustavo E. Frances, P.A. Visit us at http://www.lauderdaledefense.com The Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures took a big hit recently when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a decision issued by Florida's highest state court. The U.S. court ruled that any court in the nation can presume that a search is valid if law enforcement officials state it was based on an alert by a drug detection dog. The underlying case stems from ...

Medical errors can lead to cerebral palsy

2013-03-13

Medical errors can lead to cerebral palsy Article provided by Joseph Chaiken & Associates Visit us at http://www.jchaikenlaw.com According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 out of 303 children in America are born with cerebral palsy. Additionally, according to the United Cerebral Palsy Association, more than 500,000 Americans have the disorder. Although there are many causes, medical errors made before or during birth cause a significant number of cases. What is cerebral palsy? Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological disorders ...

Damage caused by TBI can linger for years

2013-03-13

Damage caused by TBI can linger for years Article provided by The Hirsch Law Firm, PLLC Visit us at http://www.jonhirschlaw.com Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a common problem across the nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1.7 million Americans suffer a TBI each year. The medical community has long known about the short-term brain damage that TBIs can cause. However, a recent study suggests that the brain injury caused by TBIs can last much longer than previously thought. Researchers at the University of South Florida ...

Proposal may affect Nebraska child custody determinations

2013-03-13

Proposal may affect Nebraska child custody determinations Article provided by Vacanti Shattuck Visit us at http://www.cvhslaw.com In February, a Nebraska lawmaker introduced two bills to the Judicial Committee that could change how courts award child custody. The proposed changes are meant to equalize the amount of time that separated parents spend with their children. In a divorce, child custody is one of the most contentious issues. Often one parent receives a greater share of the time with the child or sole physical custody. This parent's home is usually where ...

Financial pitfalls faced by women post-divorce

2013-03-13

Financial pitfalls faced by women post-divorce Article provided by The Law Office of Thomas V. Sassone, P.C. Visit us at http://www.tvslawpc.com Statistically, women have the harder time financially after a divorce than men. A study conducted by the National Marriage Project at Rutgers University has found that on average, a man will see an approximate 10 percent increase in his standard of living post-divorce, but a woman will experience a 27 percent decrease. Experts attribute the disparity to the possibility that many women are not involved with finances during ...

Iowa Legislature mulls tougher distracted driver law

2013-03-13

Iowa Legislature mulls tougher distracted driver law Article provided by Shanks Law Firm Visit us at http://www.shankslaw.net The dangers that distracted drivers pose to other motorists on our nation's roadways has received a lot of attention in the press lately, and for good reason. After all, common sense tells us that taking our eyes off the road is a dangerous behavior that dramatically increases the risk of a car accident. Unfortunately, Iowa drivers are not immune to such behavior. As a result, the Iowa legislature has proposed toughening its laws against ...

2013 tax changes may spell confusion for small business owners

2013-03-13

2013 tax changes may spell confusion for small business owners Article provided by The Gartzman Law Firm, P.C. Visit us at http://www.gartzmantaxlaw.com After a no small amount of last-minute scrambling to avert the so-called fiscal cliff, Congress recently passed a number of changes to the federal tax code. Some of these changes, both good and bad, could have a significant impact on small business owners. While the potential for increased tax liability under the new plan is a major concern for many small business owners, some say the real challenge will be keeping ...

Tax payment plan vs. tax settlement: What's the difference?

2013-03-13

Tax payment plan vs. tax settlement: What's the difference? Article provided by The Gartzman Law Firm, P.C. Visit us at http://www.gartzmantaxlaw.com Many serious tax problems stem from a simple and relatively common situation: being unable to pay the amount due to the IRS. What many people who find themselves in this situation do not realize, however, is that being unable to afford a tax payment is not necessarily what lands a person in hot water with the IRS. Instead, it is how these individuals choose to deal with the situation -- or not deal with it -- that ...

Personal bankruptcy options: liquidation vs. reorganization

2013-03-13

Personal bankruptcy options: liquidation vs. reorganization Article provided by Purrazzella & Purrazzella, P.A. Visit us at http://www.purrlaw.com When financial difficulties turn from bad to worse and people fear they may never be able to catch up on their overdue bills, many turn to bankruptcy as a way to make a fresh financial start. While most people have heard of bankruptcy, many are unaware of how the process works and how it can benefit people who are struggling with unmanageable debt. What is bankruptcy? Bankruptcy is a legal procedure that helps ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

AI finds undiagnosed liver disease in early stages

The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announce new research fellowship in malaria genomics in honor of professor Dominic Kwiatkowski