What Is Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is a growing epidemic that poses a major public health hazard in the United States.
It is any activity, such as talking on a cell phone, texting, eating, and adjusting the radio, which takes the driver’s attention away from the task of operating their vehicle. The most alarming distraction is texting.
When a distracted driver texts while behind the wheel of a car, they are taking their eyes away from the road for five seconds at a time.
At 55 mph this is a similar distance to driving the length of an American football field without watching where you are going.
To educate the public about the dangers of distracted driving, Nevada has launched a public awareness campaign. This includes radio and TV ads, as well as bill boards and posters.
Nevada has also created an online survey for drivers to take to learn about the risks of phone use while driving.
By increasing public knowledge of the consequences of distracted driving, authorities aim to reduce accidents caused by these activities.
Distracted driving is a concern for various parties such as parents, teens, states, media, GHSA, and NHTSA. To address this, many states have established laws that limit or prohibit the use of cell phones while driving.
Nevada is among those states and has implemented a new law that bans the use of handheld cell phones and texting while driving in an effort to reduce accidents caused by distracted driving.
How Will This New Cell Phone Law Be Enforced by Police Officers?
Effective on January 1, 2012, all Nevada drivers are prohibited from using a handheld mobile phone and from text messaging while driving.
https://www.dot.nv.gov/safety/handheld-cell-phone-ban
Violating these laws will be considered a primary offense, which means that police officers can cite a person solely for using a handheld cell phone or texting without the presence of an initial traffic violation.
Hands-free devices are recommended to reduce the risks of texting while driving as hand-held devices will now result in an expensive ticket from a law enforcement officer.
Breaking this law has severe consequences. Drivers who violate the ban can be fined up to $250 for the first offense and up to $500 for each subsequent offense.
Using a hand-held cell phone or texting while driving can lead to points on your driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and the potential for suspension or revocation of driving privileges.
Nevada has created a task force to enforce distracted driving laws, educate drivers on the risks associated with distracted driving, and enforce texting laws. Trained officers can identify when drivers are using handheld devices and issue appropriate citations.
The new law implemented in Nevada aims to enhance public safety by decreasing the instances of accidents caused by cell phone usage.
Nevada is taking action to decrease distracted driving by passing a law and educating the public.
The law is expected to save 80 lives annually in the state and lower driver fatality rates.
Other states may follow suit with similar laws to improve road safety. To avoid getting a costly ticket, it is advised to use hands-free devices instead of hand-held ones while driving.
What Other Causes of Distracted Driving Are There?
Distracted driving accidents in Nevada can occur due to various factors such as reading, eating, drinking, talking to passengers, drowsiness, adjusting music settings, using a navigation system, and cell phone use.
Any activity that diverts the driver’s concentration from driving is deemed a distraction and may result in severe injury accidents.
Distracted driving encompasses any activity that diverts the driver’s attention from driving, including but not limited to hand-held phone use, eating, drinking, reading, and conversing with passengers.
Such distractions pose a serious risk of causing injury accidents.
If You Are Injured by a Driver Who Is Texting While Driving, What Action Can Be Taken?
If a driver using electronic devices causes an accident that injures you, take these steps for justice.
Report the crash to the police and mention the driver’s distraction.
Document your injuries and medical treatment. Contact an experienced accident attorney to understand your legal rights and get proper compensation for your injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Nevada distracted driving accident, you may be able to hold the negligent driver liable for the losses associated with your injuries.
The skilled Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at Shook & Stone can help you pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
To find out more about your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation at 702-570-0000.
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