Distracted driving has become an increasingly dangerous problem for drivers. According to the National Safety Council, nearly 330,000 injuries occur each year as a result of texting while driving. Indeed, drivers who text are six times more likely to cause an accident when compared to driving while drunk. This is, in part, a result of the fact that the average response to a text takes five seconds. That is five seconds where the driver is simply not paying attention to what is going on in front of them.
Not surprisingly, the problem is even worse with teenagers. 11 teenagers die every day as a result of texting while driving and 21% of teen drivers involved in fatal accident were distracted by their cell phones.
The statistics make clear that a solution like this, that helps hold people accountable when they text and drive, is good for the safety of everybody on the road.
Law makers have long been struggling over how to enforce the no-texting laws which have been enacted. Field sobriety tests, including the use of a Breathalyzer, have been key tool in curbing drunk driving when a drunk driver is pulled over, but to date, there has been so similar way to prove that a driver was texting. However, recently New York State became the first in the nation to introduce a bill that would do the same for texting while driving.
Technology firms are currently developing such a field test. Dubbed the “Textalyzer”, the device could be used by accident investigators to immediately determine if a cell phone was being used prior to an accident. Although the technology does not exist yet, multiple firms, including the Israeli firm that assisted in the FBI’s hack of the San Bernardino shooter’s phone, are working on the technology that would have to balance the need to protect the phone user’s privacy while still providing the necessary information.
If you or someone you know has been seriously injured by driver who was texting or using their phone while operating their vehicle, please contact our office to discuss your rights.