Eight in 10 crashes in Virginia occur because of distracted driving, many of those involve a cell phone, according to DriveSmartVA.org.
In Virginia, there is a law banning texting while driving. Since its passage, an estimated 328 motorists have been cited.
The new law makes texting while driving a primary offense. Violators face a $125 fine for the first offense. And subsequent offenders will be expected to pay $250.
There is a loophole to the texting-while-driving law: if using your phone as a GPS, you are not violating the law. And, you are allowed to text if you are stopped or if you are reporting an accident or emergency.
Texting While Driving & Distracted Driving Stats
Texting while driving creates a crash risk 23 times greater than average, according to data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Sending and receiving a text message takes the driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds.
Distracted driving involves any activity that diverts the driver’s attention from the road, including texting while driving, which has become increasing more common and contributed to far too many car crashes. But it also includes such things as applying makeup while driving, changing the radio station or even using the GPS system while operating the vehicle – all of which serve as a distraction to the driver.
The laws on distracted driving and texting while driving vary from state to state with more and more states getting involved. The Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA), has more information so that you can find out what the laws are in your state. In fact, GHSA recently completed a survey of what state highway safety officials are doing to address drivers’ use of technology behind the wheel. The report is titled, “2013 Distracted Driving: Survey of the States.”
EndDD is an organization sponsored by the Casey Feldman Foundation and is proactive in their education and advocacy against distracted driving. It was founded by Joel Feldman after his daughter was struck by a distracted driver in July 2009 and died several hours later. They are dedicated to raising the public’s awareness. With so many states banning texting while driving and with so many sobering statistics available, one has to wonder why drivers continue to put their life at risk as well as other drivers occupying the same road.
There is no excuse for texting while driving. There is no message that cannot wait until you have a safe moment.
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Rick Shapiro has practiced personal injury law for over 30 years in Virginia, North Carolina, and throughout the Southeastern United States. He is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (ABA Accredited) and has litigated injury cases throughout the eastern United States, including wrongful death, trucking, faulty products, railroad, and medical negligence claims. During his three-decade career, Shapiro has won client appeals before the VA Supreme Court, VA Court of Appeals, NC Supreme Court, SC Supreme Court, WV Supreme Court, TN Supreme Court, and three times before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, underscoring Shapiro’s trial achievements. In addition, he and his law firm have won settlements/verdicts in excess of $100 million. His success in and out of the courtroom is a big reason why he was named 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” in railroad law in U.S. News & World Report's Best Lawyers publication (Norfolk, VA area), and he has been named a “Best Lawyer” and “Super Lawyer” by those peer-reviewed organizations for multiple years. Rick was also named a “Leader in the Law, Class of 2022” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (total of 33 statewide honorees consisting of lawyers and judges across Virginia). And in September 2023, Rick was selected as a recipient of the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) 2023 President’s Award. Although many nominations were submitted from across the country, Rick was just one of eight attorneys chosen by the prestigious National Board which certifies civil trial attorneys across the U.S. Rick was also recently named to Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2024 Virginia’s Go To Lawyers Medical Malpractice. The attorneys awarded this honor are nominated by their colleagues and chosen by a panel from the publication.
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