Rhode Island’s new “Hands Free” law goes into effect on June 1, 2018 and prohibits the use of any hand-held devices while driving. The law is aimed at preventing cell phone use that could lead to distracted driving, such as texting, talking or posting messages online. Drivers will be able to access and use hands free options, such as blue tooth devices, which many cars are now equipped with. Distracted driving has been shown to be a major factor in many car accidents, and the hope behind the new initiative is to promote safety and prevent accidents that could lead to Warwick car accident lawsuits. If you have been injured in a car accident in the Warwick area, contact one of our experienced Warwick car accident lawyers today.
Why is Distracted Driving Dangerous?
Taking your eyes off the road, even just for a second, impairs your ability to be aware of what is going on around you and eliminates vital reaction time needed to avoid a crash. Human error has been noted to play a huge role in car accidents. Thus, driving while paying attention to something other than the road greatly increases the chances of being involved in an accident. This is one of the reasons that many states, such as Rhode Island, have taken action and passed hands free laws that prohibit the use of hand-held devices, such as cell phones, while driving. For more information on what the Rhode Island hands free law prohibits, please visit the Rhode Island Department of Transportation website at: http://www.dot.ri.gov/projects/HandsFree/index.php.
How do Cell Phones Contribute to Distracted Driving Accidents?
The use of phones while driving heavily contributes to distracted driving accidents. At any given moment during the day, it is estimated that approximately 660,000 people are using or looking at their phones while driving. On average, it takes about 5 seconds to look at a text. During this time, a driver is essentially driving blindfolded. Depending on the rate of speed, the consequences of this can be severe. With more and more people buying smartphones, the instances of distracted driving have quickly spiked in the U.S. prompting many states to enact distracted driving laws in an effort to increase safety on the roadways.
Contact an Experienced Warwick Car Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you know has been injured in a Warwick car accident, contact one of our experienced Warwick car accident lawyers located at 88F Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. You may be entitled to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering, among other losses. There are no legal fees unless you receive an award or settlement. For a free (no obligation) case evaluation, call us at 1-401-490-6907 or toll free at 1-800-992-6878. You may also fill out our contact form online.
Sources:
- http://www.distraction.gov/stats-research-laws/facts-and-statistics.html
- http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1106889079591&ca=8a4267cb-5d6e-4630-8fdd-a80d983eb672
Paul d’Oliveira
Attorney Paul d’Oliveira has been practicing personal injury and disability law for over 30 years. He started his personal injury law practice in 1989 with two offices in Fall River, MA and East Providence, RI. Today his firm has 16 offices in RI and Southeastern, MA.
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