There are many types of dangerous drivers. For decades, we’ve been hearing about the dangers of speeding and drunk driving, for example. More recently, we’ve begun to hear about a third type of dangerous driver – the distracted driver.
Distracted driving in Pennsylvania and New Jersey is nothing new. For as long as automobiles, motorcycles and trucks have been on our roads, there have been drivers who have been distracted. However, the prevalence of cell phones has brought the problem of distracted driving into focus, and now is the time for the problem to be addressed.
What Exactly is Distracted Driving?
The U.S. Government defines three different types of distracted driving. Specifically, distracted driving may include:
- Visual Distractions: taking one’s eyes off the road
- Manual Distractions: taking one’s hands off the wheel
- Cognitive Distractions: thinking about something other than driving safely
The most dangerous types of distracted driving are those that involve two or more of the above distractions. For example, a driver who is talking to a passenger may be cognitively distracted but may be able to keep his eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. However, if that same driver receives a text message then his hands may be diverted from the wheel as he picks up his cell phone, his eyes may be diverted from the road as he reads the text message and his concentration may be diverted from the road as he concentrates on the text message.
If You’ve Been Injured by a Distracted Driver You May be Entitled to Compensation
New Jersey cell phone driving laws currently prevent drivers from texting while driving or using a handheld cell phone while driving. Some Pennsylvania municipalities have similar laws, but the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has not yet enacted a statewide ban.
Regardless of the specific state cell phone laws, it is against the law to drive negligently and to cause someone else’s injury or death because of a failure to exercise reasonable care while operating a motor vehicle.
If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one in a New Jersey or Pennsylvania car accident then please contact the Bucks County accident lawyers of Cordisco & Saile at 1-215-642-2335.
