TEXTING AND DRIVING
Idaho has a law against manually texting and driving, with a penalty of $85.00 if you get cited. Voice-operated devices are legal to operate while driving but can also result in distracted driving and increase your likelihood of being in an accident. Texting while driving is just as dangerous as drinking and driving according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. On average, 1 in 4 automobile accidents are a result of texting while driving.
If you have been cited for texting and driving under Idah Code §49-1401A, which prohibits the practice of texting while driving, Shep Law Group in Meridian, Idaho can assist you with your legal questions as well as advise you on whether or not you should hire an attorney to represent you.
Why take the risk?
Texting has been shown to increase the risk of an automobile accident by as much as 23 times. Texting requires a great amount of concentration, thus distracting the driver from focusing on the road.
What are the types of distractions?
Visual: Taking your eyes off the roadway
Within the few seconds of time taken to text, an accident can occur. The average time taken away from watching the road ahead while texting or checking a message is just 5 seconds. In that time period, a vehicle traveling at 55 mph will travel the length of a football field. Looking at your cell phone for those precious few seconds is like driving blindfolded. The results can and often are fatal.
Manual: Removing your hands off the steering wheel
Removing your hands from the steering severely hinders the time necessary and your ability to control your vehicle while traveling at any speed.
Cognitive: Taking your mind off what you are supposed to be doing, driving
The moment you start typing or reading a text message your focus shifts away from driving to your cell phone. Drivers become distracted from the road, and become unable to concentrate completely
Statistics on Distracted Driving Fatalities
Ten percent of fatal crashes, 15 percent of injury crashes, and 14 percent of all police-reported motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2015 were reported as distraction-affected crashes.
In 2015, there were 3,477 people killed and an estimated additional 391,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.
Nine percent of all drivers 15 to 19 years of age involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crashes. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted at the time of the fatal crashes.
In 2015, there were 551 nonoccupants (pedestrians, bicyclists, and others) killed in distraction-affected crashes.
AT&T's Take the Pledge
Follow and share the link below with your friends, family, children and colleagues. Become an advocate in your circle of control and influence. AT&T is driving toward a safer world. It Can Wait is leading the way, but we need your help to put an end to distracted driving once and for all. By working together, we can make the roads we share every day safer for ourselves and our loved ones.
A moving video by AT&T’s “It Can Wait” campaign.