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Distracted driving is a big concern for drivers today. It is also a worry for those that share the road with these drivers, including other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. The statistics about distracted driving are frighteningly clear. Roughly eight out of ten auto accidents can be linked to driver’s not paying full attention to the road in front of them, and up to 3,000 people are killed in the United States each year as a result of driver distraction. The number one source of distraction for drivers is today’s smart phones, whether because the driver is talking on them or texting, with texting representing a unique danger because it requires taking the driver’s eyes off of the road. Though you may think that it is a momentary distraction, studies have shown that texting takes the eyes off the road for an average of five seconds, and during that time a great deal of damage can be done. This is why law enforcement has taken such a hard line on distracted driving. If distracted driving led to your traffic violation, you are not alone. The attorneys at Wallace Law are able to provide you with legal representation against this traffic violation, but also urge you to give serious thought to your actions.
Studies have shown that when you talk on a cell phone you are engaging in what is known as inattention blindness. This means that even though you believe that you are paying attention, your brain may not fully be taking in the scene that your eyes see. Distracted driving is anything that takes your hands, your eyes, or your mind off of the road. That means that it can be a radio, a GPS unit, a smart phone, or the passengers in your car. It can even be eating a meal while behind the wheel. The state of New Jersey has clear laws regarding distracted driving. These state that the only reason that a driver is permitted to operate a hand-held phone while driving is if they are in fear for their life or safety, if they believe that a criminal act is being perpetrated against them or another person, or if they are calling to report a fire, accident, or similar emergency. Fines for using a handheld phone while driving are between $200 and $400 for a first offense, and between $400 and $600 for a second. Drivers who are caught violating the law three or more times face fines between $600 and $800.
As attorneys who represent both those injured as a result of distracted driving and those who are accused of it, Wallace Law encourages you to refrain from this dangerous activity. If you have been charged with distracted driving and you need legal representation, contact us to learn more about how we can protect your rights and work to get the charges against you dropped.