According to WJLA, 49 percent of drivers in Virginia admitted to texting and driving, despite it being the cause of over 100,000 transportation accidents annually.
Texting while driving is illegal in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Virginia made it a primary offense in July of this year. In the first four months of enforcement, Virginia State Police handed out 328 tickets.
“It has to be where I can actually see the screen…I don’t just pull someone over off speculation,” one Virginia State Police Trooper told WJLA. The trooper stated that once he spots a potential cell phone user, he will drive around the car to visually confirm the driver is using their device illegally. It is important to confirm this because, under state law, a driver is allowed to dial a number or use their GPS.
The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police stated it is not clear whether using social media sites while driving is considered illegal. However, police say it is a good practice to avoid all activities that take your eyes off the road.
I Was Injured in a Car Accident Due to a Distracted Driver
Our firm is trying to increase public awareness of cell phone dangers behind the wheel in an effort to prevent unnecessary car accident injuries and deaths. A 2006 study by the University of Utah discovered that a motorist using a cell phone is just as dangerous as a drunk driver.
If a distracted driver on a cell phone has injured you or has killed a family member in a motor vehicle accident, speak to one of our attorneys today to tell us about your situation and circumstances. We understand what you are going through and want to hear your story. Feel free to comment below or you can visit our Facebook page to tell us more.
Did You Know: Cell phone use kills thousands of people annually in transportation accidents.
Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.
Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia Injury Attorneys
Source: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/11/texting-and-driving-law-difficult-to-enforce-96891.html