Distracted driving is an issue all across the country — in 2019, distracted driving-related accidents claimed 3,142 lives. In New York State, inattentive drivers cause serious accidents every year.
There are various distracted driving laws in the state designed to keep everyone on the road safe. Keep reading below to learn all about these laws.
What is Considered Distracted Driving?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), distracted driving is anything that takes your attention away from driving. There are three main types of distraction, which include visual, manual, and cognitive. Certain types of distracted driving can involve one or more of these types of distraction.
Texting, using a cell phone or navigating system, and eating or drinking while driving are some common examples of distracted driving. Texting behind the wheel has become a growing issue on roadways for teen drivers in particular. A 2019 study by the CDC found that roughly 39 percent of high school students reported texting or emailing while driving within the previous 30 days.
New York Distracted Driving Laws
According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), it is illegal to use a hand-held phone or electronic device at all while driving. These activities include talking on a mobile phone; composing, sending, reading, accessing, browsing, transmitting, saving, or retrieving emails, text messages, or webpages; viewing, taking, and transmitting images; and playing games.
Breaking this law can result in being pulled over by police and receiving a traffic ticket.
What are the Consequences of Distracted Driving?
If you’ve been pulled over for violating a distracted driving law, you may wonder: what happens next? In this situation, there are a range of penalties for this offense, including fines. According to the DMV, a conviction of phone and/or electronic device use or a texting violation can result in points being added to your driving record (11 points in 18 months can result in drivers’ license suspension).
Another serious consequence of distracted driving is devastating motor vehicle accidents. Accidents – where one driver is inattentive and strikes another driver – can leave vehicle occupants with debilitating injuries that require long-term medical care and/or treatment such as surgery.
Contact a Distracted Driving Accident Attorney
Those who have been hit and injured by a distracted driver have the right to seek damages for their injuries, including compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If this is the case for you, you can contact a distracted driving accident attorney today to get started on your claim.
If a distracted driver has injured you, contact William Mattar law offices today. We can help you file a claim for compensation and hold the at-fault driver accountable for their actions. To schedule a free and confidential consultation, complete our initial online consultation form or call our offices at (844) 444-4444.