| As mobile phones become more prevalent in | | | | - According to the Virginia Tech Driving Institute |
| today’s society, they are making dramatic | | | | (VTDI), distraction caused by dialing a cell phone |
| differences in how we communicate. Mobile phone | | | | increases the risk of accidents by 2.8 times, and |
| users can be reached anywhere, at any time, and for | | | | distraction caused by texting increases the risk of |
| any reason. The constant need for communication | | | | accidents by 23.2 times in comparison to normal |
| has spilled into other facets of life, including driving. | | | | driving conditions. |
| While mobile phones have allowed for dramatic | | | | The prevalence of mobile phone use while driving has |
| increases in productivity, they are becoming a major | | | | caused a number of different states to enforce |
| cause for concern for motorists and a culprit for the | | | | legislation. As of September 2009, a total of 18 |
| high number of California auto accidents. Whether | | | | states including District of Columbia have effectively |
| you are in San Bernadino, Riverside, Santa Monica, or | | | | banned all drivers from cell phone text messaging |
| any other heavily trafficked location, chances are you | | | | while driving. In California, as of January 1, 2009, the |
| have either used a mobile phone, or witnessed | | | | Wireless Communications Device Law makes it an |
| another driver using a mobile phone while driving. | | | | infraction to write, send, or read text-based |
| According to the Cellular Telephone and Internet | | | | communication on a cell phone, while driving a motor |
| Association (CTIA), the number of monthly text | | | | vehicle in California. While there is a fine for this |
| messages reached 110.4 billion in December of 2008, | | | | infraction (first offense is $20 and a minimum of $50 |
| an increase of over 10 times the amount three years | | | | for subsequent convictions), the real issue at hand is |
| prior. Here are a few more scary statistics about | | | | the increased risk in causing a serious auto or truck |
| the use of mobile phones while driving: | | | | accident. Serious accidents can result in severe |
| - Every day in 2008, over 800,000 people were using | | | | injuries, high medical bills, wages lost, and vast |
| a mobile phone, texting, or calling while driving in the | | | | amounts of pain and suffering. |
| United States, making wireless devices the No. 1 | | | | If you have been injured in a California truck |
| source of driver inattention. | | | | accident, car accident, bicycle accident, or motorcycle |
| - Almost 50% of all drivers between the ages of 18 | | | | crash that was caused by a motorist that was |
| and 24 are texting while driving, and agree that | | | | distracted by the use of a mobile phone, you need |
| texting is their number one distraction while operating | | | | to ensure that you contact a Southern California |
| a vehicle. | | | | Auto Accident Attorney. |