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 \u201cdistracted driving\u201d 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.
\nThere 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.
\nOf 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\u2019d like to provide a summary of the laws for each:
\nNorth Carolina
\n\u2022\tText messaging is completely prohibited for all drivers.
\n\u2022\tEmail and internet use completely prohibited for all drivers.
\n\u2022\tAll cell phone use prohibited for those drivers under 18 who have a provisional drivers license, unless calling parents.
\n\u2022\tAll cell phone use prohibited for school bus drivers.
\nVirginia
\n\u2022\tText messaging is completely prohibited for all drivers. Fines are $20 for the first offense and $50 for subsequent offense.
\n\u2022\tCell phone use prohibited for all drivers under 18 years of age.
\n\u2022\tAll cell phone use prohibited for school bus drivers.
\nHelp 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 \u201cdistracted driving\u201d in 2009, releasing a full report in 2010. Distracted driving, as defined by the NHSTA, includes things like eating, drinking, speaking<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n