Cell Phones & Driving: Safety and the Law

There seems to be little argument that using a cell phone while behind the wheel has an effect on driving ability. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) studied the effects of “distracted driving” in 2009, releasing a full report in 2010. Distracted driving, as defined by the NHSTA, includes things like eating, drinking, speaking with passengers, adjusting the radio or climate controls, and of course, speaking/texting on a cell phone. According to the report, the administration attributed 5,474 traffic deaths in 2009 to distracted driving. Of those, 995, or nearly 20%, were related to cell phone use while driving.
There is still quite a debate about the extent that driving ability is diminished by cell phone use. One study measuring drivers speaking on phones versus those who were not showed that, while following distance was increased, braking time and braking force were decreased. Another study indicated that drivers took their eyes off the road an average of four out of six seconds while texting.
Of course, these studies and more have given rise to cell phone usage laws in 34 states, with a wide range of regulations and punishments. Virginia and North Carolina are among those 34 states, so as a service, we’d like to provide a summary of the laws for each:
North Carolina
• Text messaging is completely prohibited for all drivers.
• Email and internet use completely prohibited for all drivers.
• All cell phone use prohibited for those drivers under 18 who have a provisional drivers license, unless calling parents.
• All cell phone use prohibited for school bus drivers.
Virginia
• Text messaging is completely prohibited for all drivers. Fines are $20 for the first offense and $50 for subsequent offense.
• Cell phone use prohibited for all drivers under 18 years of age.
• All cell phone use prohibited for school bus drivers.
Help insure yourself against an auto accident: follow your state laws about cell phones and drive safely. And of course, contact Insurance Doctor for auto insurance quotes in Virginia and North Carolina.