Unfortunately, according to car accident statistics, a person dies in a vehicle crash every 12 minutes in the US and such is the leading cause of death for Americans 35 years and younger. Due to this demoralizing report, advocacy groups continue to create stronger, more vehicle safety standards with the goal of improving driver awareness among other key measures to reduce car accident statistics.
In urban areas, statistics show that car accidents are mostly influenced by the distraction use of cell phones while driving brings. The increase in cell phone usage appears to be a significant contributor to higher car accident statistics; hence, the birth of a law which prohibits all drivers from using cell phones and other electronic devices while driving comes forth .
There are enacted laws restricting the use of wireless communication devices by all drivers but will they be effective in combating driver negligence? Under the law, drivers who violate the cell phone ban would face a $20 fine for a first-time offense, and a $50 fine for any repeat violation of the law. Operative human discipline proves to involve adequate positive and negative reinforcements. That being said, is a $20 or $50 fine considerable enough to discourage drivers from using cell phones behind the wheel?
It appears that distraction from cell phone use while driving is fatal – both for the offender and the common public thus, I think this prohibition merits a larger penalty from violators. If you beat a red light, a looming $350 fine is imposed… what makes utter negligence of cell phone use behind the wheel any different, or evil lesser?
Car accident claims and lawsuits are the most common type of civil tort case filed by attorneys today. Except for states with no-fault laws, car accident cases are litigated under general negligence principles. The attorney for the plaintiff in a car accident files a lawsuit in court and is required to prove that the defendant was negligent and that the negligence, like cell phone use while driving, was the proximate cause of the accident. Damages are nowhere near $20 or $50.
Car accident causes, especially mindless distractions like cell phone use or rubbernecking, should be eliminated effectively, through commensurate violation = penalty measures which would actually discourage people from continuing their old, careless driving habits.
