Corsiglia McMahon & Allard, L.L.P. Home
Trial Attorneys Helping Injury Accident Victims
Results Count. Hundreds of Millions Won for Injured Victims.
California Cracks Down on Distracted Driving With New Cell Phone Law
More than 3,000 people were killed by distracted driving in 2014, the most recent year for which data is available. Distracted driving also resulted in the injury of 431,000 people that same year. There have been campaigns, laws, and signs put in place to educate drivers about the dangers, yet the rate of injuries and fatalities continues to climb. To combat the issue, the state of California has banned all cell phone use behind the wheel.
Texting and calling without the aide of a hands-free device has been banned in California for some time now, but as of January 1, 2017, lawmakers expanded the cell phone driving laws. Now, it is against the law to do anything with your phone while driving. No texting. No calling. No changing your playlist, using your map application, or accessing your social media. In short, you cannot hold your cell phone in your hand for any reason, whatsoever.
Understanding the Reason Behind the LawDistracted driving is more than just texting and driving. In fact, studies have indicated that any form of distraction - conversation, stress, and even just looking at your phone for a few seconds - can pull your attention away from the road and greatly increase your risk of accident. Not only that, it increases the risk of accident for those around you. The law was passed in hopes that it would reduce California’s overall incidence of distracted driving accidents. True, there are still other forms of distraction, but cell phones tend to be the most common in today’s on-the-go society.
The Unfortunate TruthAlthough many drivers are likely to avoid using their cell phones while driving (even if for no other reason than to avoid a ticket), there are those who will continue to engage in risky and negligent behavior. Should their behavior result in an accident that causes death or injury for you or someone you love, it is critical that you seek medical attention and legal assistance.
Contact Our San Jose Car Accident LawyersAt Corsiglia, McMahon & Allard, LLP, we fight for the rights and best interests of victims. Dedicated and experienced, our San Jose car accident lawyers always pursue the most favorable outcome possible. To learn more about how we can assist with your case, schedule a personalized consultation. Call us at (408) 289-1417 today.
Sources
