Using CellPhones While Driving violates US Driving Laws

In the US, many states ban the use of handheld cellphones and even ban text messaging while you are driving. A primary enforcement law permits an officer to stop you and issue a ticket to you if you used your cellphone while driving. A secondary enforcement law permits an officer to stop you only if you are violating a primary law such as driving despite a stop sign or overspeeding but this law allows an officer to cite a cellphone ban violation while issuing you the ticket.

State Driving Safety Laws While Using CellPhones or Handheld Devices

 In states like New Jersey and District Columbia, the use of headsets are also banned while driving.In Oregon, the law forbids the use of any handheld devices while driving. Further, texting by drivers and use of cellphones by minors is prohibited. In Connecticut, the law allows the cops to fine drivers with $100 fine if they believe that the driver was affected while using a handheld cellphone. Upcoming law seeks to impose additional fine of $500 for causing a road accident while using a hand-held cell phone. In case the road accident results in a death, this fine would be $500 combined with a year's suspension of the driver's license.

Distraction While Driving Affects Driving Safety

Using cellphones will driving divert the mind's attention from the hand while on the road. With advanced in-car technology like TV screens and navigation systems, a driver can be very distracted while driving. Technology is causing destructive diversion because it diverts a driver's audio and visual attention, both of which are critical components that ensure safety on the road.

Cellphone Safety While Driving

If you are using your cellphone but you feel that you can still drive safely, it is time to rethink. Studies indicate that a driver who uses a cellphone while drivng is 4 times likely to cause road accidents than one who is not using it at all. In fact, texting is much worse because it increases the driver's risk by 23.2 times! This has been verified in a 2009 study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute.