New Bill to Ban Texting and Driving
Every year, more than 3,000 people die and nearly 400,000 people are hurt in distracted driving-related crashes.
New Bill to Ban Texting and Driving
In mid-January, Republican Rep. John Kavanagh introduced a bill that would ban texting and driving. The bill was fittingly introduced on the same day Officer Clayton Townsend was laid to rest. Townsend was standing by a driver’s side door on a routine traffic stop when a distracted Sanstead struck him with his vehicle. Townsend died shortly after.
Families who’ve lost loved ones are pushing for a statewide ban on distracted driving and have hopes that this bill might be the answer they are looking for.
Texting-and-driving bills have never made their way to a full vote at the state capitol. Arizona, Missouri, and Montana are the only states without a ban on distracted driving.
Distracted Driving
According to data collected by ADOT, in 2015, distracted driving contributed to at least 33 fatal crashes and nearly 8,000 distracted drivers were involved in crashes on Arizona roadways.
The following are all forms of distracted driving:
- Texting
- Using a cell phone or smartphone
- Eating and drinking
- Talking to passengers
- Grooming
- Reading, including maps
- Using a navigation system
- Watching a video
- Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player
If you have been involved in an accident as the result of distracted driving, there are a number of things you’ll need to do.
What Not to Do After a Car Accident
Here’s a list of things to NOT do after a car accident:
- Leave the scene. You are legally required to stop, check on the other person and car involved, exchange all insurance and contact information and report it to law enforcement. Failure to do so means you’ve committed a crime.
- Forget to call 911. Even if the car accident seems minor if you don’t get an official police report that documents the accident, what proof do you have? Sometimes law enforcement might not respond to collision unless there are injuries, but you always have an opportunity to get a report of the accident. This can help in the claim process, as well as protect you.
- Lose your cool. Try to remain as calm as possible and be polite.
- Admit fault. Do not admit to anything. But doing so, you’re legally admitting liability for the accident. This can expose you to lawsuits or other penalties.
- Forget proper documentation. Documenting any damage done to cars or the scene will provide you with any necessary evidence should the accident lead to a lawsuit. Try to take a few minutes to write down what happened from your point of view. Note time, date, streets, makes, models and colors of cars, direction you were heading, contact information, and information from any witnesses that were at the scene. This will all help to build your case and help determine liability.
Working with a Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been involved in an automobile accident, you should immediately call a personal injury attorney that can help you build your case. They have the experience necessary to ensure you are able to prove your injuries so that you can collect the compensation you are owed.
