Commit to Distraction-Free Driving for Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Distracted driving is responsible for hundreds of thousands of car accident injuries and deaths nationwide. Although being distracted while driving has always been a problem to an extent, it has become a more serious safety issue since the advancement of cell phones and smart phones. April, as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, is the perfect opportunity to recognize the dangers of distracted driving and to make a commitment to stay focused when on the road.  

Types of Distraction

There are three main types of distraction according to Distraction.gov: Manual, Cognitive, and Visual. Manual refers to distractions that take the driver’s hands off the wheel; cognitive refers to any distraction that takes the driver’s mind off of driving; and visual refers to distractions that take the driver’s eyes off of the road. Such distractions include, but are not limited to:

• Grooming;
• Eating and/or drinking;
• Reading (even a map);
• Using a navigation system (in the car or on a phone);
• Texting;
• Using a cell phone or smart phone;
• Adjusting the CD player, MP3 player, or radio; and/or
• Talking to other vehicle occupants.

Texting is one of the most dangerous things a driver can do as it combines every form of distraction.  

Distracted Driving Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,474 people were killed and 448,000 were injured in distracted driving-related crashes in 2009. Of the fatal crashes, 994 involved reports of cell phone use. Furthermore, according to Monash University, “drivers who use hand-held devices are [four] times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves.”  

When to Call a Massachusetts Car Crash Attorney

When a driver gets behind the wheel, they have a responsibility to focus their attention on the task at hand. Distraction is a choice and drivers who choose to text, eat, or otherwise distract themselves from driving endanger the lives of every other person on the road.

If you or a loved one has suffered injury as the result of a distracted driver, the dedicated auto accident lawyers in Boston at the Kiley Law Group can help you hold the at-fault driver liable for your losses. To learn more about obtaining the financial compensation you deserve, call us today for a free legal consultation at (888) 208-1695.

Haverhill Teen Was Texting Before Fatal Crash

Aaron Deveau, 17, of Haverhill is currently facing a new charge of texting while driving, among several other charges, in connection with the February crash near the intersection of Cliffe Avenue and River Street in Haverhill that took the life of Donald Bowley, 55, of Danville. In an article out last week in The Eagle Tribune, police have charged the teen with motor vehicle homicide, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and several other charges related to using an electronic device while driving.

Bowley died from his injuries on March 10 at the Boston hospital where he had had been in critical condition since the crash took place on February 20. Bowley’s passenger, Luz Selena Roman, 58, of Haverhill had also been in serious condition following the crash but survived.

Text Messaging Laws in Massachusetts
At the end of September last year, Massachusetts lawmakers passed a law that made it illegal for drivers to text while driving. If a driver is convicted of texting while driving for the first time, he or she will face a $100 fine. Teen drivers under the age of 18 face harsher punishments for a first conviction of texting while driving, including loss of their license for 2 months and attendance of a court-ordered program that addresses attitudes.

For a second conviction of texting while driving, a teen driver under 18 will have to pay a $250 fine and face a license suspension of 6 months. If a teen driver is convicted for a third time of texting while driving, they will face a $500 fine and lose their license for an entire year. The fines for the convictions apply the same to adult drivers (those over 18), but drivers over 18 are not required to attend the court-ordered attitudes program.

When to Contact a Massachusetts Auto Accidents Lawyer
If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident in Massachusetts due to someone else’s recklessness, BEFORE you sign any forms, talk to the insurance company or hire a lawyer, get this free Massachusetts accidents book to learn how to avoid making the 7 fatal mistakes after an accident.

Contact a Massachusetts personal injury lawyer with Kiley Law Group to find out about your legal options. Our car accident lawyers have 30 years of experience and successful track record of obtaining seven figure wins for our clients in auto accident cases, medical malpractice, child birth injuries, brain injuries, and other personal injury cases. Call 800-410-2769 to receive a free legal consultation. And while the call is free, the information may be priceless.


DISCLAIMER: The Kiley Law Group is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited within the article. If you were involved in this accident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and legal options, call us at 800-410-2769, or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a legal evaluation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to all not-at-fault persons named in this article and to their family members as well.