Cellular Phones When Driving Present Problems for Kansas City Traffic Law Firms
Texting while you're driving is a hazardous proposition. Kansas City traffic can be intense, but using your mobile phone while driving could result in accidents, injuries and lawyers. Cell phones are thought to be the most dangerous distraction while travelling. An astonishing 660,000 drivers in the United States are using their cell phones while driving at any given moment. This means there are a tremendous amount of distracted people on the road, driving potentially deadly machinery.
Kansas City Guidelines for Driving While Using a Mobile
The law concerning cell phones are always changing. Kansas and Missouri share Kansas City, making cellular phone legislation quite a challenge for traffic cops, lawyer and lawmakers alike. However, the Missouri side of the city doesn't regulate cellular phones usage while driving a motor vehicle. That is certainly going to change soon, and not just for the state of Missouri. As cellular phone related accidents will continue to soar, lawmakers are changing cell phone regulations all over the country.
Over half of US states have laws set up to combat the potential risks of using a cellphone while driving. Kansas is a state where making use of your cell phone while driving could bring about high fines and attorney fees, even if you're stopped at a light or stop sign. Even though it is not widely known, Kansas is among 32 states that have laws or regulations prohibiting the use of cell phones while behind the wheel. The law reads that it is illegal for anyone to text and drive, and drivers below the age of 21 are prohibited from mobile phone use completely while they're driving. Make sure you know what your regional laws are.
General Data on Driving and Mobile Devices
Research and reports concerning driving when using a cell phone will most likely shock you. Kansas City traffic attorneys have experienced a dramatic rise in sad cases involving cell phones and driving. The National Safety Council reports that 1.6 million crashes per year occur as a direct result of using a cell phone while driving, and a massive 330,000 injuries from accidents are caused by texting while driving. They also report a incredible 1 in 4 car accidents are caused by texting while driving, and that is 6 times higher than driving under the influence. Figures like that should get people to reconsider picking up their cell phone while they're driving.
A short look at reports could convince you about using your cell phone behind the wheel. Lawmakers and Kansas City traffic attorneys have been making an effort to improve cell phone laws to make our roadways safer. A little fact that will completely shock you is that the average time it takes to respond to a text message is 5 seconds, which is like driving 55 mph, blindfolded, down the length of a football field. Of all cell phone related activity, texting is totally the most hazardous. 94% of people polled support banning texting while behind the wheel, and 74% are in favor of banning cell phones behind the wheel in general. Using hands-free cell phone technology doesn't seem to alter those numbers, either.
Teen Driving and Cellular Phone Research
Teenage drivers have many distractions to handle, but adding a mobile to the mix can become fatal. Kansas City traffic lawyers are aware that 21% of fatal accidents involving teens, were directly related to being distracted by their cellphone. It's surprising to discover that 11 teens die every single day because they were texting while driving. Alarming statistics like this are the whole reason lawmakers are changing cellphone laws. Waiting until the car is in park is the ideal time to answer a text message or respond to FaceBook.
Probably the most unfocused drivers driving on the road are the ones under 21. With that in mind, the traffic lawyers of Kansas City have seen some sad and horrifying cases involving teens texting while driving. It's not because they don't know better, either. A stunning 94% of teenage drivers said they knew what they were doing was dangerous and 35% admit to doing it in spite of knowing the hazards. Statistically, texting and driving is substantially more unsafe than driving drunk.
2012 Driving and Mobile Phone Stats
The driving while using cellular phone stats from 2012 were remarkably excessive. Traffic lawyers in Kansas City saw 2012 as a year with a extremely high number of distraction related crashes, a few of which were directly related to texting and driving. Distractions like answering cell phone calls or text messages are the reason for 3,328 deaths that year. It's shocking to learn that nearly 50 % of all drivers on the road admit to answering their cellular phone while driving and 58% of those drivers will continue to talk as they drive. Text messages are substantially more distracting than phone calls, but both are risky when driving.
Pedestrians on their mobile devices make up a rise in distraction related accidental injuries, too. Kansas City traffic lawyers and lawmakers nationwide have seen a surprising increase in traumas and fatalities involving pedestrians that were distracted by their cellphones. Research involving a number of Seattle's busiest crossing points were carried out in 2012. The outcome indicated it took approximately two extra seconds to cross the road, and pedestrians were 4 times less likely to look before they crossed the street. While that might not appear to be a lot, it makes a significant difference when a pedestrian isn't being attentive while they cross a busy street.
2012 Driving and Cellphone Statistics
Data taken from 2012 show very a high number of crashes were relevant to cell phone use. 2012 statistics had traffic lawyers in Kansas City reeling from the huge number of distraction-related vehicle accidents involving drivers on their phones. That year alone saw 3,328 distraction-related deaths in motor vehicle accidents. It's shocking to know that almost half of all drivers on the road admit to answering their cellular telephone while driving and 58% of those drivers will continue to talk as they drive. Text messages are substantially more distracting than phone calls, but they are both dangerous when driving.
Pedestrian injuries are on the rise resulting from cell phones, also. Kansas City traffic lawyers and lawmakers nationwide have experienced a surprising rise in accidents and fatalities involving pedestrians that were distracted by their mobile phones. Studies involving a few of Seattle's busiest crossing points were conducted in 2012. Researchers discovered that pedestrians who texting are 4 times LESS likely to look before crossing the road and take generally two seconds longer to completely get across the intersection. While that probably won't appear to be a lot, it can make a huge difference when a pedestrian isn't being attentive while they cross a busy street.
Whether you're checking FaceBook, texting your boyfriend or answering a crucial call, it's all distracting your attention. Being distracted by your cellular phone might require some help from a Kansas City traffic lawyer. Intelligent drivers will think about these numbers as a warning not to use their cell phone while driving. Lawmakers across the country recognize a rising problem with drivers distracted by mobile phone use. The good news is that educating people on the hazards have lowered the number of deaths in 2013 by 6.7%. Informing the public on the risks of using a cell phone while when driving is helping to lower the potential hazards.
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