April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, so in cities across the state of Georgia, drivers are being encouraged to keep their eyes on the road and off of their devices. As a part of this campaign, there will be an increased law enforcement presence on U.S. roadways, with officers ticketing and fining drivers found in violation of state distracted driving laws.
The Scope of the Problem
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 290,000 people were injured in traffic accidents as a result of distracted driving in 2022 alone. Tragically, those accidents led to the untimely deaths of 3,308 people. Unfortunately, this alarming trend does not seem to be on the downturn, with federal agencies estimating that more than 1,000 people are injured in distracted driving accidents every day, with as many as nine people losing their lives.
Why is Distracted Driving So Dangerous?
When many people think about distracted driving they think about texting or other forms of cell phone use. While it’s true that this is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving (and illegal in Georgia) it is far from being the only one. In fact, the NHTSA defines distracted driving as anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or mind off of driving. Of course, activities that fall under one or more of these categories tend to be the most dangerous. Driving is complicated and anything that distracts from a driver’s ability to comply with traffic laws and adjust to sudden changes in road conditions is dangerous. For instance, driving distracted for five seconds is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with one’s eyes closed.
Georgia’s Ban on Texting and Driving
While there is no nationwide ban on cell phone use or texting while driving, many states have enacted their own laws prohibiting such conduct. Georgia is one of these states, banning all hand-held cell phone use while driving, which encompasses texting. In fact, drivers are not permitted to write, read, or send text messages, emails, social media content, or any other internet data while on the road, even with hands-free technology. Voice to text is, however, allowed. Drivers who are found in violation of these rules can expect a $50 fine and the assessment of one point on their driver’s license for a first time offense. The penalties do, however, increase with each conviction as follows:
- A fine of $100 and two points for a second conviction; and
- A fine of $150 and three points for a third or subsequent conviction.
Unfortunately, despite these restrictions, distracted driving remains a critical problem in Georgia and across the U.S.
Call Our Atlanta Distracted Driving Attorneys
If you were hurt in a crash caused by a distracted driver, please call the experienced Atlanta distracted driving lawyers at Shiver Hamilton Campbell for an explanation of your legal rights and options. You can reach us at 404-593-0020 or via online message.
Sources:
nhtsa.gov/april-distracted-driving-awareness-month
nhtsa.gov/campaign/distracted-driving
