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Posted in Distracted Driving on November 11, 2020
Did you know that texting and driving is one of the most common causes of road accidents that occur in the US? It accounts for more than 65% of road accidents– and texting and driving accidents are the leading cause of death for teens.
It’s easy to feel like it’s possible to multitask while driving. The unfortunate truth is, though, that humans are notoriously poor multitaskers. None of us can safely operate a vehicle and a mobile phone at the same time. It’s just too risky.
According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, any activity that takes someone’s mind off of driving, takes their hands off the wheel, or takes their eyes off the road qualifies as a distraction.
Most of Louisiana’s distracted driving laws focus on the use of handheld cell phones while driving. This is because cell phone use and texting are two of the most common and dangerous distractions while driving.
Louisiana has distracted driving laws that prohibit certain behavior while driving a vehicle. State laws mandate that someone cannot do any of the following while they drive:
Louisiana has laws specifically designed to combat distracted driving because it is so dangerous. When people drive distracted (like they do when they text and drive), they put everyone at risk.
It is illegal to use a cell phone to text message or post to a social networking site while operating a vehicle on any public road or highway. The fine is $175 for the first offense and $500 for each subsequent offense
Every driver in Louisiana is banned from any activity that involves looking at a cell phone while operating a vehicle. Drivers may also not make calls while traveling in school zones within posted school hours. Drivers may not:
There are rare exceptions to this rule, but they all involve emergencies. You may report emergencies or seek help using your phone if your personal safety is at risk while you drive.
Texting and driving in Louisiana is illegal— no matter who you are. It is a primary offense. That means that if someone is texting and driving, they can be pulled over by a police officer.
The primary reason that texting and driving is so dangerous is that it distracts a driver in three ways:
It’s easy for somebody who is texting and driving to drift between lanes, fail to notice traffic signs and signals, ignore other individuals’ presence, and so on. This is why it’s so dangerous for everyone on the road.
Louisiana allows the use of GPS and other navigation systems. In fact, you can even use a wireless communication device for navigational purposes while you drive. It’s always better to have a passenger handle this; but, if you’re by yourself, it’s legal to use GPS and directions-based phone applications.
Drivers in Louisiana are permitted to use their cell phones while they are legally parked— not while they are stopped.
Wireless device usage isn’t the only way that someone can be distracted while they are driving. Even behaviors that many people think are totally acceptable behind the wheel are actually very distracting. Some surprising examples of distracted driving include:
If you have been hurt in a distracted driving accident in Louisiana, a lawyer may be able to help you pursue compensation for your losses. Some examples of damages that people commonly recover in distracted driving cases include:
The safest way to use devices in the car is to just avoid it. Most of us are incapable of safely using an electronic or mobile device while driving. Even hands-free devices can pose a significant risk– any distraction while driving is a dangerous one.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a distracted driving accident, it’s important to reach out to an attorney. A legal professional can help you understand your rights and create a clear path forward for your case.
At the Law Office of John W. Redmann, our team works diligently to ensure that every client feels empowered in their fight for justice. We always recommend that accident survivors take advantage of a free consultation by calling us at 504-500-5000 or contacting us via the web.