Drivers who don’t keep their eyes and mind on the road can cause serious accidents. Those accidents can cause extensive property damage and catastrophic injuries. These risks are some of the reasons why West Virginia has laws against driving while distracted by cellphone use.
According to Distraction.gov, texting and driving and talking on the phone with a handheld device while driving are against the law for all drivers. For novice drivers, even talking using a hands-free device while driving is illegal. State troopers are taking a proactive stance against distracted driving as part of a new initiative that is set to last a week. The multi-state effort runs through July 26.
The effort to raise public awareness about distracted driving isn’t stopping at only reminding drivers that using cellphones while driving can be dangerous. The program is also targeting other forms of distracted driving, including applying makeup, eating, and smoking.
Extra patrols are being set up in the participating states. This means hundreds of squad cars will be patrolling the streets. One Lieutenant with the West Virginia State Police says that this program isn’t about making money from issuing citations. He says the participating states want to change driver habits.
For people who have been injured in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, this initiative hits close to home. These victims know that even a few seconds of distraction by a driver can have lasting effects.
Anyone who has been injured in a distracted driver accident has the right to seek compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages caused by the accident.
Source: WOWKTV, “State troopers crack down on distracted driving in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio” Christian Fan, Jul. 21, 2014
