We have all read or heard the recent stories regarding distracted
drivers. A couple examples are:
School Bus Driver was distracted prior
to Wethersfield CT crash on April 2, 2015 when she rear ended a jeep. This
crash sent nine (9) people to the hospital.
Hartford CT police hand out close to
100 tickets during the first leg of a month long, state wide effort to prevent
distracted driving. The campaign is entitled, “U DRIVE. U TEST. U PAY.”
Keep
in mind that ANY activity that can
divert your attention away from the task of driving is considered distracted
driving. This includes but is not limited to anything that involves using your
cell phone; Eating or drinking; Engaging with passengers, children or pets;
Applying make-up or shaving; or reading a map. If you need to do any of these
pull your vehicle over and handle them safely.
If
you are one of the eighty percent of American drivers that believe hands free
devices are safer than using a handheld phone the National Safety Council (NSC)
states that is not the case. More than 30 studies have shown hands free devices
are no safer because the brain remains distracted by conversation. The NSC
stated that when talking on a cell phone, drivers can miss seeing up to half of
what’s around them, such as stop signs, traffic lights and pedestrians.
So
put down your cell phone, do not text and drive, stop eating that sandwich when
driving and keep your hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road. Take
the pledge to drive cell free.
We urge you to educate yourself on the dangers of distracted
driving. To practice safe driving habits and to speak out if the driver in your
vehicle is distracted. And remember that Mississippi House Bill 389 becomes
effective July 1, 2015 which prohibits drivers from typing, sending or reading
text messages, emails or social media messages.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of a distracted driver you
should contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C and we will evaluate your case at no cost or
obligation. Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free
initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.
At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we
defend your interests and protect your legal rights. With more than 67 years of
combined legal experience, our attorneys offer our clients throughout Mississippi
the representation they need.
To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak
Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.