Texting and Car Accidents

A new national study shows that you are 5.9 times more likely to get into an accident while dialing your phone and 23.2 times higher when you are texting. There is absolutely nothing that important that you cannot wait until your car is at a stop to send that text. If you are a passenger in a vehicle and the driver is texting or dialing, you should offer to help and demand that he/she stop doing that activity with you in the car.

Oprah Winfrey got behind the movement to ban the use of cellphones while driving. In her No-Phone Zone program, people are asked to pledge one of the following:

a. I will not text while I am driving
b. I will not text while driving and will use only handsfree calling if I need to speak on the phone while I am driving.
c. I will not text or use my phone while I am driving. If I need to use my phone, I will pull over to a secure location

The Michigan Legislature passed the final bill in a texting ban package. The Legislature passed the main bills in the package in April. The ban will go into effect for Michigan drivers July 1, 2010.

So what does it mean? As of July 1, texting will be a primary offense, meaning police can pull over Michigan motorists for texting alone. A first offense would cost $100 and repeat offenses would cost $200. No points will be added to a violator’s driving record.

If you or a loved one are involved in a car accident or truck wreck, you should consult with an experienced car accident attorney. Allan W. Ben P.C. is a Michigan injury law firm which handles all types of cases involving serious injury or death, including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and drunk driving accidents. We handle personal injury cases from Macomb County, Oakland County, Wayne County, Farmington Hills, West Bloomfield, Novi, Birmingham or anywere else in Michigan. If you want to discuss your possible case or have any questions contact our office at info@allanwbenpc.com or 248-540-0677.