We have all done it. Even with the headsets, the hands-free devices, and the ability to connect your phone to your car, all of us have reached for the phone while driving. Whether it’s checking a quick text at a stoplight or messing around with your maps app while driving in a new place, the desire to check your phone could strike at any time.
But how dangerous is it really? Let’s go over some facts about the dangers of phone use while driving, the restrictions about it that are in place in California, and tips for you to stay safe, and connected, on the road.
The US Department of Transportation reports that, in 2019, 3,142 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. While this can include drivers who are fighting, eating or more; the majority of these deaths were caused by driving while using a cell phone.
California law prohibits all motorists from using a cellphone while driving, except when used in hands-free mode. This can lead to increasing fines for each infraction.
If you are using your phone to provide music for your car ride, make sure that you will not have to interact with your apps too much. If you are listening to services with many ads, there can be a tendency to want to skip them. If you are the kind of person who can not ignore these things, invest in an ad-free service or satellite radio. You could also find CDs or mp3 playlists to keep yourself occupied.
When it comes to navigation, ensure you have a good place to put your phone. There are mounts you can buy that can be attached to the dashboard in order to secure your phone in an easily visible place.
If you have a system to operate your phone through voice in your car – put it to work for yourself! You will be able to create talk-to-text messages to send, have conversations on speakerphone and answer the phone when it rings. And you can do all this in a safe way because you can keep your hands on the wheel.
For those with a busy phone, it may be worth it to silence or otherwise disable your availability while you are actually driving. For long drives, you can schedule stops to check your messages and calls.
If you are involved in a distracted-driving accident, contact emergency services and the authorities. Reach out to a qualified attorney, as well, to help navigate you through the situation.
Cell phones and cars are both not going anywhere. These things will remain a part of our lives and, with them, so will the compulsion to open your phone while in motion. Just remember that it can really be dangerous, and even deadly, to do so. Make sure to assess the real importance of your duty on the road. If you have your priorities right, you should be able to get around safely and with ease.
blogs
Introducing MADD
As it says on their website, “the mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking.” And these mothers and their supporters work tirelessly to improve policy and law-making, and they are a force to be reckoned […]
Statute of Limitations and Personal Injury
For many of us, when a personal injury occurs there can be a lot of mixed feelings. Some people may feel guilty that they got injured, even when the blame lies with someone else. The first concerns you will obviously have will be about your health and safety. You may not even be considering what […]
Motorcycle Safety Tips for Cold Weather
Driving any vehicle in cold weather and especially snow is going to make for a much more difficult time than driving in dry, comfortable weather. With enough preparation and all of the right gear, it is possible to mitigate many of these problems, but without them, you run the risk of a deadly accident. Before […]
Car Specific Repair Issues: When to Invoke California’s Lemon Laws and How RS Laws Can Help
Car specific problems are the leading cause of recalls by most automakers and dealers globally. Last year, for instance, over 20,000 units of Volkswagen Golf MK.8 were recalled because of a software bug. Earlier this year, Volvo stated that they were planning to issue a recall for some of their cars. How do such car […]
More Apps for Increased Rideshare Safety
If every ride you take is just you and an unknown driver, it doesn’t hurt to look into your safety options. And while any unsure situation could potentially turn dangerous, you can do yourself a favor by finding helpful methods for letting people know where you are and where you’re going to be, and generally […]
Pitbulls in California
While they are known for being loving, playful, and effective as guard dogs; Pitbulls are also known for their aggressive and even dangerous demeanor. Because of their prevalence and their mixed reputation, some cities and states have deemed it necessary to enact special laws and provisions about this breed. These laws are usually made up […]
Looking Out for Motorcycles
In 2019, the number of deaths caused by motorcycles was found to be 29 times that of deaths caused by cars. Motorcycles can go very fast, they have no sides to protect the rider, they are more difficult to see on the road and they do not perform well in bad weather. While it is […]
How Dangerous Are Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcyclists are more likely to die in a traffic accident than people inside passenger cars. In fact, they are 28 times more likely, due to a number of factors, including things like potential low visibility from the blind spots of other vehicles around them. Motorcycles are also most likely to be involved in collisions with […]
Great Motorcycle Roads in Arizona
There’s no freer way to see the great state of Arizona than to travel it by motorcycle. Being one of the last gateways to the West Coast, our streets are manifold, so your options are virtually endless. Whether you’re touring to see the mountains, the wildlife, the succulents or other plants, or just visit towns […]
Five Products for Increased Automobile Safety
It should be no surprise that in Arizona and California, with the increasing dependence on cars, automobile accidents are increasingly likely. In the event of an accident, you want to have as many bases covered as possible – from minor repairs you can do yourself to getting yourself out of harm’s way as quickly and […]
contact form
