Personal Injury Law

Distracted Driving Awareness Day in Virginia

DRIVE  SMART Virginia  reports that "1,026 people died on Virginia's roadways in 2007. That's nearly three fatalities every day. Understand this. Cars don't kill people. Cars are navigated by people. Cars crash by the actions of people. DRIVE SMART Virginia is a traffic safety non-profit that is working hard to make people aware of their responsibility behind the wheel. This website is a key source of tools and information for parents, teens, seniors, business owners, law enforcement, safety managers, teachers or anyone interested in learning more or in making a difference. We're all on the road together.

Source: DMV: The Highway Safety Office

Take a moment to visit with us to get valuable information on how you can join DRIVE SMART in making a difference on our roadways here in Virginia."

"According to a study by the Virginia Tech transportation institute, nearly 80 percent of car accidents are due to distracted driving.

One of the most dangerous habits is text messaging while driving.  Other distractions include eating, applying makeup and talking on a cell phone. Studies show that someone talking on a cell phone is four times as likely to get into a crash. For someone texting and driving, a wreck is six times more likely.

Governor Kaine said, "Certainly there would not be a more dangerous kind of distraction than trying to text while you're driving so I hope people wont wait until July 1, I think people should stop doing it right now."

Lt. Mike Mondul with the Danville Police Department said, 'Texting while driving can be particularly be dangerous because you actually have to look down at the screen to punch in the letters, which when your eyes are down here their not on the road.' "

Previously on the DC Meto Area Personal Injury Law Blog, we have posted articles relating to the dangers of distracted driving:

• Teenagers and cell phone use while driving;
  
• Teen drivers and over-confidence
• Hands-free phones and distracted driving

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

Full post as published by DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog on April 30, 2009 (boomark / email).