• 19
  • July
    2011

On June 27th, a North Carolina truck driver drifted off a highway, overcorrected and skidded across the road into a ditch on the opposite side, overturning his 18-wheeler semi. What was the reason for his crash? He was reaching for a doughnut. This big rig accident is an example of the growing epidemic of distracted driving in our country.

Distracted driving has caused over 5,000 crashes in North Carolina over the past 4 years. Texting offenses were ticketed over 1,200 times since the state's ban on texting went into effect in December of 2009.

The North Carolina legislature continues to fight for legislation banning the use of cell phones. Lawmakers have been grappling with how to address the distracted driving problem since 2005. Current legislation seeks to expand the existing prohibitions, barring school bus drivers and drivers under the age of 18 from using their cell phones to all drivers.

The three bills introduced by members of the senate and the house would either apply the ban of cell phones to all drivers or limit the ban to hand-held devices only. These bills are unlikely to pass however because it became clear the measures would not receive the required votes to pass. One of the proposed bans, House Bill 44, was pulled from legislation after negative comments were expressed in subcommittee meetings.

The cool reception of the bills from both houses is surprising in light of the fact that a recent Charlottesville Observer poll indicated 47% of persons polled agreed with a bank on cell phones and 40% of persons surveyed indicated they would at least support a ban on handheld devices. A similar poll conducted by Elon University in February 2009 found support for banning the use of cell phones while driving from two-thirds of individuals polled. Ironically, of the 758 people polled, more than half confessed to using their cell phones while driving.

But distracted driving is not limited to cell phone use. According to the US Department of Transportation's website on distracted driving, there are three types of distraction: visual, manual and cognitive. The first two involve taking either your eyes or hands off the road respectively. The third is the most common, letting your mind drift from your attention to the road. Distracted driving activities include the following:

•· Talking on a cell phone

•· Eating and drinking

•· Talking to other passengers in the car

•· Putting on make-up and other forms of grooming

•· Reading books, maps or magazines

•· Changing the radio

•· Changing the radio station or compact disc

•· Watching a video

•· Using a personal digital assistant

Distracted driving is not a minor issue. It can permanently alter lives with devastating injuries. Even worse, it can kill. Nationally, the Fatal Analysis Reporting System, which compiles data from police reports, found 5,474 of all fatalities in 2009 resulted from distracted driving. If you have been injured in an auto accident, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can advise you of your rights and the options available to you.

Sources: http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2011/06/27/1104488?sac=Home and

http://handsfreeinfo.com/north-carolina-cell-phone-laws-legislation