Last week, our Boston injury lawyers published a blog post about a new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study on text messaging and cell phone use while driving. As evidenced by the number of distracted driving fatalities that happened in 2010, too many people are dying because there are drivers that are multitasking and distracted.
Now, the National Transportation Safety Board is calling for all states to ban any type of cell phone use-including texting-unless it is an emergency situation. Over the last decade, the NTSB has made efforts to limit the use of portable electronic devices by commercial truckers, new drivers, and school bus drivers, but this is the first time that it is calling for a ban that would apply to all drivers. Handheld and hand-free devices would both be barred. Passengers that are not driving, however, would still be allowed to use their cell phones and other devices.
Although the NTSB cannot dictate state law, lawmakers do seriously consider what the federal agency has to say. Currently, in Massachusetts, only school bus drivers, passenger bus drivers, and drivers under 18 are prohibited from using cell phones. There is no ban on the use of hand-held phones-although Rep. Cory Atkins, D-Concord has introduced legislation to make the use of a hand-held cell phone while driving illegal. All drivers are banned from texting in Massachusetts.
Distracted Driving Lawsuits
Distracted driving has proven to be a huge problem among motorists. Even though people are aware of how dangerous talking on a cell phone or text messaging can be when operating a motor vehicle, many motorists cannot seem to stop themselves from making a call, sending a text, checking on email, or surfing the Web and these behaviors are causing serious injuries and killing people.
Some in Mass. eye tougher cellphone restrictions, Boston, December 14, 2011
NTSB recommends full ban on use of cell phones while driving, CNN, December 13, 2011
National Transportation Safety Board
More Blog Posts:
NHTSA Reports 314 Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Accident Deaths in 2010 , Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, December 9, 2011
Peabody Police Hit as a Pedestrian, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, December 12, 2011
Motorists Encouraged to Remain in Vehicles After an Accident Following Multiple Massachusetts Highway Fatalities, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, November 30, 2011
Distracted driving is negligent driving and can be grounds for a Boston car accident lawsuit. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today.