What is California Highway Patrol doing to end distracted driving?

When it comes to distracted driving in California, the biggest culprits are those who text while driving. According to the Office of Traffic Safety and the University of California, Berkeley Safe Transportation Research and Education Center, which conducted a study in 2015, one in 10 drivers regularly uses his or her cell phone when behind the wheel. For a first offense in California, the fine is currently $162. Nearly five years ago, the California Highway Patrol began cracking down on people who eat behind the wheel, too, along with those who apply makeup or read books or magazines.

How bad is texting while driving? At 65 mph, a car covers the length of a football field in three seconds. It takes nearly five seconds to send a text message. That means you’ll crash into anything closer than a football field away if you take your eyes off the road to read or send a text. You’re 23 times more likely to have a vehicular accident when you text than when you don’t. The statistics for other distractions are similar. Distracted driving carries stiffer and stiffer fines each time you do it even though there is currently no system for demerit points. The human cost, however, is much graver than any fine.

At Young Woolridge, LLP, you’ll be able to meet with a personal injury lawyer and discuss all aspects of your case as part of a free initial consultation. We will advise you on a reasonable course of action to pursue your case.

If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in any incident involving distracted driving, contact a personal injury lawyer at Young Wooldridge, LLP by calling 661.855.4886 or fill out an online form.

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