Will Your Bluetooth Save You From a Reston Auto Accident?
Study after study has shown the dangers of using a cell phone while behind the wheel. Much of this research has been focused on texting and driving, which is by far one of the most dangerous driver distractions today. The Commonwealth of Virginia has taken steps to protect those on the road, by making it illegal to text message while driving. Yet, it is still legal to use a handheld cell phone as you drive.
Your Bluetooth Headset Might Not Be a Lifesaver After All
Many states have taken measures to ban the use of handheld cell phones. These laws require that drivers use hands-free devices, if they feel the need to talk on their phones. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) has warned, though, that hands-free isn’t necessarily the same as accident-free. That means your Bluetooth headset might not be as safe as you believe.According the GHSA, cell phone-related distractions accounted for 15 to 25 percent of crashes over the last decade. Their researchers believe that this figure might be even higher given the fact that it is hard for law enforcement to determine whether each driver had been using a cell phone right before the crash.
The GHSA narrowed in on the issue of handheld cell phones by identifying the drivers at the highest risk of an accident. They believe that new, inexperienced drivers have a greater chance of getting into a crash when using a cell phone, than other drivers.
Whether or not such a ban will be effective is still up for debate. In 2010, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) announced that the number of car accidents did not drop after states banned handheld cell phones. The IIHS studied crash data in Washington DC, New York, Connecticut and California, which are all states that have outlawed the use of handheld devices while driving.
When a Distracter Driver Causes a Reston Auto Accident
You can control your own actions by putting away your cell phone while driving. However, you can’t control the other driver’s actions. If a distracted driver caused you to be injured in a Reston auto accident, you may be able to recover compensation. Contact a Reston personal injury attorney to get answers to your questions.To learn more, order a FREE copy of the book, Five Deadly Sins That Can Wreck Your Injury Claim.
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