Showing posts with label Distracted Drivers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Distracted Drivers. Show all posts
10 Ways To Prevent Falling Asleep While Driving
Let's imagine you're taking a lengthy vacation and want to make sure you're always aware behind the wheel. You know what to do if you become sleepy on the road, but what can you do ahead of time to prepare? Here are some ideas for you.
- Download some intriguing podcasts or invest in satellite radio that you can take with you everywhere you go before your vacation.
- Another effective approach to keep yourself occupied is to listen to audiobooks; local library may have some suggestions.
- Avoid driving during usual sleeping hours, roughly midnight through 6 a.m. Late afternoon drowsiness is also prevalent.
- Avoid alcohol and cannabis. This should go without saying whenever you’re behind the wheel. Liquor or pot makes for dangerous driving decisions.
- Prescription medicines that cause drowsiness should be avoided. Check the labels of any medications you're taking to make sure they won't affect your ability to stay awake.
- The night before a big journey, get a decent night's sleep (7-8 hours).
- Talk to your doctor about how to drive safely if you have (or fear you have) a sleep issue like apnea.
- Plan your vacation ahead of time to prevent driving for large periods of time in one day. You'll be able to handle drowsiness better if you spread your journey out across two or more days.
- Make arrangements for the company. Even if they aren't able to assist with driving, a friend or family member (even a youngster) can help you keep them aware.
- Know where the rest spots are on your journey and keep an eye out for safe locations to pull over.
7 Driving Drowsy Warning Signs
- You're drifting out of your lane or slamming into the rumble strips.
- You realize you've been immersed in a daydream all of a sudden.
- You have a habit of yawning.
- You miss your exit or become lost or confused about your whereabouts.
- You're having trouble keeping your eyes open or you're blinking too much.
- You have no recollection of the last few miles you have driven.
- You suddenly realize you're tailgating the automobile in front of you.
If you notice any of these signs, you should take action right away to relieve your tiredness, even if it involves pulling over to the side of the road for a little nap. Any of those signals could mean you're going towards microsleep, a condition in which you sleep in small bursts while doing anything else.
Who is the most vulnerable to drowsy driving?
Drowsy driving affects about one out of every 25 drivers every month. Although exact data on falling asleep at the wheel is difficult to come by, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that it causes 91,000 crashes each year, with 800 of these resulting in death.
Moreover, despite the fact that Americans have driven less during the pandemic, data reveals that we are having more accidents and driving more irresponsibly, including driving while tired or sleep-deprived.
Some populations are more vulnerable to it than others. If you fall into one of these groups, you're more likely to drive when drowsy.
Professional drivers: When they've been on the road for hours without stopping, long-haul truckers and others who drive professionally may experience sleepy driving. Federal restrictions limit the number of hours an interstate truck driver can travel per day to 11, with a ten-hour break between shifts.
Nearly 15 million Americans work evenings or alternate between night and day shifts. This can throw off the body's circadian rhythm, making getting to and from work difficult.
Those with untreated sleep problems: Those who suffer from sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or other sleep disorders are already dealing with the difficulties of interrupted or inadequate sleep. You run the danger of sleepy driving or falling asleep behind the wheel if you drive in this situation.
Young drivers: high school and college students lack the years of driving experience that older drivers have, and they frequently work long hours while studying and working part-time job. Driving home after working or studying all night might be a recipe for catastrophe.
Male drivers: According to a study published in 2019 by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, men had a harder time staying awake when driving than women.
Individuals who drive for rideshare firms like Uber should also be aware of the dangers of drowsy driving. In fact, in 2018, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) issued a policy statement warning rideshare drivers to be aware of the public safety risk they pose when driving when tired.
Drowsy driving can occur at any time of day, but it is most common between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. If you're used to sleeping during those hours, it's a good idea to be especially cautious if you're traveling late at night.
Anyone with a low resting heart rate in the 30-50 beats per minute.
If you become drowsy while driving, you should:
Allow a friend to take the wheel. If you're driving with someone, they can take the wheel while you close your eyes and relax. Turn off the light every two hours or so.
Pull over to a safe location and take a brief sleep – this is possibly the most effective way to avoid drowsy driving. Consider bringing a weighted blanket with you in the drive so you can cozy up and fall asleep quickly. Even a half-hour snooze should suffice to rejuvenate you.
Every two hours, take a break. You don't have to wait until you're tired to use this advice; it's a good idea whenever you're on a long trip, regardless of how alert you are. Get out of the car, stroll around the parking lot, stretch, or jog in place when you come to a halt.
Take a coffee or energy drink break. Coffee isn’t an ideal stimulant, because it only works for a while and then leaves you more tired than before. And energy drinks contain sugar that provides a short-term lift — followed by a crash. But in a pinch, they can stave off drowsiness for the short term.
Avoid going too fast. You may believe that if you're sleepy, you should drive faster to get to your destination faster and nap - but this is risky thinking that could result in an accident or, at the absolute least, a speeding ticket.
Distracted Driving BillBoard While Driving
Example of Distracted Driving Billboard
According to a study published in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention, digital billboards may be more distracting to drivers than other billboards and signs. The study found that electronic billboards divert drivers' eyes from the road for more than two seconds.
The bright lights, movement, and dynamic images of digital billboards easily draw drivers' attention and gaze, even when they do not mean to take their eyes off the road.
However, a study by the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) found that drivers are not any more likely to be distracted by digital billboards than by stationary signs. On average, the drivers in this study devoted between 73% and 85% of their visual attention to the road ahead.
Distracted driving refers to any activity that diverts a driver's attention away from the primary task of operating a vehicle safely. This can include activities such as using a cell phone, texting, eating or drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, using in-car technologies, or any other action that takes the driver's focus away from the road.
Distracted driving is a significant and dangerous problem that can lead to accidents, injuries, and even fatalities. It impairs a driver's ability to react quickly to changing road conditions and increases the likelihood of collisions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the United States, distracted driving claimed the lives of 2,841 people in 2018 alone.
To combat distracted driving, many jurisdictions have implemented laws and regulations to restrict or prohibit certain activities while driving, such as texting or using handheld devices. Public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives are also conducted to promote safe driving habits and raise awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.
It's important for drivers to prioritize safety and avoid distractions while behind the wheel. This can involve keeping mobile devices out of reach or using hands-free systems, pulling over to a safe location if there's a need to attend to something, and focusing on the road and surroundings at all times. By practicing attentive and responsible driving, we can help reduce the risks associated with distracted driving.
AI Cameras Being Used to Detect Phone Usage In Cars
The use of AI cameras to detect phone usage in cars is an emerging technology that aims to address the issue of distracted driving. These cameras are designed to monitor and analyze driver behavior, specifically focusing on detecting when drivers are using their mobile phones while operating a vehicle.
AI-based camera systems utilize computer vision and machine learning algorithms to analyze real-time video footage and identify signs of distracted driving, such as drivers holding and using their phones while driving. These systems can distinguish between different activities, like making a phone call, texting, or using social media, and can trigger alerts or notifications when a violation is detected.
The deployment and use of AI cameras for detecting phone usage in cars can vary depending on local laws and regulations. Some jurisdictions have implemented or are considering implementing these systems as a means of improving road safety and enforcing distracted driving laws. However, it's important to note that the implementation and acceptance of such technologies can differ between regions, and privacy concerns may also be a factor to consider.
As with any emerging technology, it is advisable to refer to local laws, regulations, and official sources in your jurisdiction to understand the current status and legality of using AI cameras to detect phone usage in cars. Additionally, monitoring developments in this field and staying informed about the latest advancements can provide a more accurate understanding of how this technology is being utilized.
Australia put up the first phone-detecting cameras in New South Wales over the weekend. The move is part of a broader plan to reduce roadway fatalities by 30 percent by 2021 — especially as new technologies continue to exacerbate the issue of distracted driving. “It’s a system to change the culture,” NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy told Australian media las week.
New South Wales wants to put up 45 portable cameras over the next three years, moving them occasionally to keep people on their toes. For the first three months, starting now, offending drivers will only receive warning letters in the mail. The penalty then becomes a $344 AUD ($233 USD), which gets a bit higher in school zones, and some points on their license (again, more in a school zone). Minister for Regional Roads Paul Toole said the program will progressively expand to perform an estimated 135 million vehicle checks on NSW roads each year by 2023.
Critics of the plan are worried that the cameras sacrifice privacy for negligible safety gains. There have also been fears that the courts could become overwhelmed by drivers disputing bogus claims if the system isn’t spot on with its detection.
While numerous outlets are calling this a world’s first, the Netherlands recently put a similar system in place to catch distracted drivers. China also has a system like this (a rather expansive one) and intends on connecting it to its social credit score program early next year.
“The NSW Government is serious about reducing our state’s road toll and rolling out mobile phone detection cameras is another way we will do this,” explained Minister for Roads Andrew Constance. “As we enter a notoriously dangerous time of the year on our roads I want all drivers to know that if you use your mobile phone while behind the wheel of a vehicle in NSW you will have a greater
chance of being caught, anywhere at anytime … Some people have not got the message about using their phones legally and safely. If they think they can continue to put the safety of themselves, their passengers and the community at risk without consequence they are in for a rude shock.”
Cell Phone Use in Your Car: Consequences and Tips
Your Syndicated Maps apps are indispensable, but remember to use them wisely. More and more states are tightening their laws about driving and cell phones.
Infractions can impact you in several
ways, and we will cover them, including answering the question: “Do cell phone tickets affect insurance?” We’ll
also give you several tips on how to resist distracted driving in order to
avoid a ticket.
Distracted Driving is Gaining Speed
Would you get behind the wheel wearing a blindfold? That’s essentially what you’re doing if you use your cell phone to read or send a quick text message, dial a number, or answer a call. These tasks only take a few seconds, but you could be driving the length of a football field in those few seconds if you’re driving the speed limit of 55.
Statistics
of Cell Phone-Related Driver Distraction
Taking your eyes off the road for a split-second can lead to a catastrophic accident at worst and in many cases put you in trouble with the law leading to higher car insurance rates. The statistics are staggering when it comes to distracted driving.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed 2,841 lives in 2018. Among those killed were 1,730 drivers, 605 passengers, 400 pedestrians, and 77 bicyclists. That’s nearly 8 people a day.
The stats are also fearsome when it comes to teens, who were already considered high-risk drivers way before the age of hand-held technology. Six out of 10 teen crashes involve driver distraction, with 12 percent of those using a cell phone, which is why parents need to laser focus on distracted driving when they prepare their teens for driving.
Despite
all of these anxiety-inducing numbers, the warning bells about cell
phone-related driver distractions seem to be falling on deaf ears. The Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) estimated the number of drivers using their
cell phones jumped 57 percent from 2014 to 2018.
Punishing Distracted Driving has
Gained Traction
We are a multi-tasking, impatient society, and our cell phones have become like an appendage to us. While drivers may not be reacting to distracted driving appropriately, the government is.
Washington was the first state to pass a texting ban in 2007. Text messaging for all drivers is banned in 48 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Additionally, 22 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving. This is considered a primary enforcement law, meaning the officer may cite a driver for using a handheld cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place.
As for laws concerning all cell phone use, no state bans all cell phone use for all drivers, but 37 states and D.C. ban all cell phone use by novice drivers. Also, 23 states and D.C. prohibit all cell phone use for school bus drivers.
Penalties for Cell Phone Use
Penalties for using your cell phone while driving vary from state to state. Expect at least a fine if you’re caught sending a text while driving. If you get ticketed in New York State, you can face a fine of $50-200 if it’s your first time. If it happens to you again, the fine increases.
Texting while driving is considered a moving
traffic violation and may be a criminal misdemeanor in certain jurisdictions.
For example, in Utah, in addition to being fined as much as $750 for your first offense, you will also be penalized 50 points on your driver’s license, and in Utah, 200 points in three years can result in a license suspension.
Insurance and Distracted Driving
Your driving history is one of the factors used to determine your car insurance rate. So when an underwriter finds a ticket for texting while driving on your motor vehicle report, you will most likely see your rate rise when you renew.
And you will be paying for that lapse in
judgment for as long as that ticket stays on your driving record, usually three
years but sometimes up to five years. If you keep a spotless record during that
time, your insurance rate will go back down.
How Much Distracted Driving
Affects Your Insurance
Your rate increase will depend on your state and on your car insurance company.
Car insurance companies have been mirroring states by raising the penalty for distracted driving. In 2011, it was only a .2 percent increase for those caught texting or talking on a cell phone while driving. By 2018, it skyrocketed to an average of 16 percent. That’s an annual increase of $226.
And if you think that’s high, there are at
least 10 states in which your car insurance rate will increase anywhere from 25
percent or $236 annually up to 41 percent or $425 annually.
How Much an Accident Affects Your
Insurance
If your distracted driving causes an accident, you could be in even bigger trouble.
Be proactive and check with your car insurance
company to see if your policy includes accident forgiveness. You will typically
have to pay extra for it, and it is not available in all states. So most
drivers don’t opt for it, unless they are a high-risk driver.
But if you are a qualified driver with a good record, your insurance company many offer it as a free perk. However, accident forgiveness usually only applies to your first at-fault accident and only if your driving record is otherwise clean.
Plus, you can’t buy accident forgiveness for an accident you already had. And you won’t be eligible to buy accident forgiveness if you recently caused an accident. If you don’t have accident forgiveness and your driving record isn’t exactly spotless, even a minor accident can raise your rates.
In states which are not no-fault, there can be a big difference regarding your insurance between if you are at-fault for an accident or not. If you’re at fault, your premium could rise by up to $138 a month. If there is a dispute with the other party regarding fault and any insurance companies need additional proof, here is how to get traffic video footage.
If you live in a no-fault state, your the insurance rate is likely to increase because regardless of how minor an accident is or who is at fault, each driver’s insurance company is responsible
for covering their client’s claims.
Tips to Help You Put the Phone Down
In addition to general safety tips for driving, here are specific strategies to help you and your family and friends prevent distracted driving.
Take advantage of your vehicle if it features built-in smartphone compatibility. Car companies are integrating infotainment systems into vehicles to let drivers plugin or wirelessly connect their cell phone to vehicle entertainment and communication systems.
Many of these newer systems can be controlled using voice commands. Experimental studies have shown drivers take shorter glances away from the road and keep their eyes on the road for a greater proportion of the time when they’re interacting using voice commands overusing their hands.
Try some phone-blocking apps such as LifeSaver, Samsung’s In-Traffic Reply, DriverMode, and DriveSafe.ly, AT&T Drive Mode, Cellcontrol, and Canary. There are also safety-encouraging apps such as EverDrive, TextNinja, and SafeDrive.
You can also take advantage of the DND (Do Not
Disturb) a feature built into most cell phones.
Other Distracted Driving
Prevention Tips
●
Prevent temptation by putting your
cell phone away. Out of sight, out of mind
●
If you need directions, put the
address in your navigation app before you start driving
●
If you need to use your phone as a
navigation tool, get a phone mount and position it at eye level
●
Pull off the road safety and stop
first, if you must call or text while driving
●
Don’t call or text someone that
you know is driving
●
Let the person with you help you
navigate, make a call, or send a message
●
Speak up if the driver of your
vehicle is distracted
Cameras May Enforce Texting While Driving
On September 24th, 2008 the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 28 (SB 28) into law. The new bill “Prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication." The new bill will impose a fine of $20 for the first offense and $50 for subsequent offenses starting January 1, 2009. No violation points will be given as a result of the offense and there are exceptions for emergency personnel.
The bill requires motorists to use hands-free devices while talking on a mobile phone when driving a motor vehicle. California motorists using cell phones have been required to use hands-free devices since July, and drivers under age 18 can't use any electronic devices. Seven other states and the District of Columbia ban text-messaging or the use of hand-held phones while driving, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Car Accidents: Where Do They Occur Most and What are the Solutions?
Driving can be a dangerous endeavor, especially in harsh weather conditions. It is inevitable that living in certain states could elevate the risk of car accidents every year. Let’s take a look at the statistics of places and states in the US with the most number of car accidents.
Places with the Highest Number of Car Accidents
Below are the top 10 cities in the U.S. with the highest accident rates and on which roads.
1. Baltimore, Maryland – Highway 695
2. Washington, D.C – Highway 295
3. Boston, Massachusetts – Route 95
4. Worcester, Massachusetts – Main Street
5. Glendale, California – 134 Freeway
6. Los Angeles, California – 405 Freeway
7. Springfield, Massachusetts – Interstate 91
8. Providence, Rhode Island – Route 95
9. Alexandria, Virginia – Richmond Highway
10. Oakland, California – Highway 880
As you can clearly see, Massachusetts and California dominate the top 10 list.
Solutions to Reducing Car Accidents
A lot of car accidents can be attributed to careless and/or reckless driving. Sometimes the situation is out of our hands, such as harsh weather conditions, but there are still a few precautions we as drivers can take. Can you report dangerous driving?
• Always follow your local traffic rules and regulations.
• Wear your seatbelt! Your life may quite literally depend on it.
• Stay within the speed limit.
• Definitely no driving under the influence.
• Stop and pay attention at intersections and crosswalks.
• Drive slowly in poor conditions.
• Have your car checked regularly.
• Watch out for any last-minute red-light runners.
• Pull in and out of traffic slowly.
• Don’t talk on your phone.
• Keep your hands on the wheel at all times.
Dozens of U.S. cities have decided to follow through with “Vision Zero”. This school of thought is suggesting that any sort of traffic accident could have been prevented with smarter engineering (of road) design, traffic law enforcement, and education.
California is actively trying to reduce the number of vehicle casualties by upping the cost of speeding tickets in California and therefore causing a rise in insurance after a driver obtains a ticket. The traffic patrol officers enforce the laws vigorously and although the maximum fine for speeding is $600 after all the fees and insurance increases are added up, it could cost you 20 times more in the end.
Other states that enforce strict and harsh laws for traffic infractions include Virginia, New York, Massachusetts (we know why), and New Jersey.
There are some states that are decidedly more relaxed in terms of fines, but there is no argument that abiding by the law will save you money and points on your license no matter how little or how much.
Conclusion
Whether it’s distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding, disregarding traffic signs and signals, or even just poor visual conditions, it’s so easy to get in an accident on the road. As drivers, we should be careful and respectful of our fellow pedestrians and drivers. To do that, we need to be on our toes and respect all traffic rules and regulatioins.https://www.photoenforced.com/fines-dmv-points.html
6 Tips to Prepare Your Teen Child for Driving
Raising and understanding a teenager is one of the biggest challenges for parents nowadays. When your child reaches adolescence age, he goes through a lot of changes. This is the age when he meets his first love. Moreover, this is also the period when he will establish and end relationships, loudly expressing his emotions and opinions. Furthermore, one of the biggest dreams of a child, when he becomes a teenager, is taking the driver’s license and start driving. Having his own car and driving to and from different places gives teens the independence they are looking for. However, this is a period which brings a lot of concerns to parents. It is very important that your teen learns how to drive both for his safety but also for you as his parent. So, if you don’t know how to prepare your teen child for driving, keep reading this article and learn how to do it.
1. Set clear rules
You should set-up some clear rules and boundaries with your teen child before he starts the driving lessons. As this is a very serious situation, you should create a sort of contract with your child where you display each party’s obligations and benefits. For example, you can establish whether your child is allowed to take his friends with the car or travel during the night. What is more, you should check with the local authorities whether there are specific restrictions that apply to teen drivers. In addition, you should be very open with your son or daughter and clearly explain your expectations, detailing also the consequences that might appear in case he breaks the rules.
2. Practice makes it better
Driving is not something which should be treated with superficiality and your teen child should know this very well. Even though everything goes very well during the driving lessons, he will need hours of practice to master this skill. On the other hand, you should also show your child that you trust him. You can take an active role in teaching your child the tips and tricks you use while you are on the road and don’t overreact when he makes mistakes while driving. Your child should feel relax while driving with you on his side. In addition, you should carefully choose the driving school based on their experience in working with teens and availability to offer driving lessons on various types of road and diverse driving conditions.
3. Stress the importance of safe & prepared driving
Safety should be your teen child’s first priority. Therefore, you should stress how important it is to wear seatbelts because it's the law, and its a matter of life and death. Know where the hazardous intersections are located and try to avoid them. Explain to your child how easily he can be distracted by electronic devices while driving. For example, you can ask him to turn his phone off so that he won’t be tempted to answer phone calls or text messages. The marketing manager of one of the most popular college writing services recommends that parents should take their children to behind-the-wheels lessons regularly and help them learn from their mistakes.
4. Driving while tired can be extremely dangerous
Fatigue is one of the major causes of car accidents. Sometimes, it is even more dangerous than a drunk driver. Whenever your teen child goes out with the car, you should carefully check if he is well-rested, isn’t upset, and doesn’t have any distractions around him which could put him in danger. Moreover, you should establish together with him a maximum hour when he is allowed to drive at night. Whenever he passes this hour, he should either come at home immediately or stop in the city where he is and get a room to rest. This will help your teen child stay disciplined and follow healthy sleeping habits which will help him react faster when they encounter unusual situations on the road.
5. Give your teen driver a reliable vehicle
Even though your teen child has the necessary skills and makes you trust his abilities, you should also put some efforts from your side. Before giving your teen child a luxurious car that will offer him the necessary comfort, you should first think of his safety. Therefore, when you choose the car for your child, you should check if it is in good condition and works perfectly. Furthermore, you should also teach your teen child how to operate the mirrors, safety systems, knobs, seat, and other car features which can keep him safe.
6. Track the progress
Teaching your teen child how to stay safe on the road is just the beginning. This doesn’t mean that once he learns how to drive, your work and responsibility is done. You should be permanently available to discuss any issues that he has on the road. For example, you can have a regular meeting weekly where you can discuss the situations he encountered while driving and give him advice on how to handle that situation the next time. Furthermore, you can travel with him as the passenger during the first drives and encourage him that he does a great job. Finally, you should set a balance between being over-protective and acting as a responsible parent. You can use several devices to track his speed on the road or check where he goes. However, you should use them only if your child feels comfortable with him and you have a prior discussion about this topic.
It is very important that your child learns to drive on warm weather and in a calm environment. He doesn’t need stress and pressure during driving lessons so that he can stay focused on the road and learn all the tips and tricks presented by the trainer. As a parent, you should put all your efforts into providing your car a safe car and advise him whenever he encounters an uncommon situation.
How Mobile Speed Cameras Are Catching Drivers Using Their Phones
In March of this year, there was further controversy when the penalty attached to it was doubled, and now it seems that the police are really starting to crack down. But how are they doing it? They can’t have eyes and ears everywhere, so instead they’re relying on mobile speed cameras to do the hard work for them…
How It Works
Mobile speed cameras are in use across the world. Capable of snapping a shot up to one kilometer away, they’re set up to record a number of driving offenses, not just the speed of passing cars. For those who are unaware of this, it can lead to something of a shock when the attached fine is posted through your door.
The cameras work by flagging up vehicles that may be exceeding the speed limit. Should they track your vehicle, they will record the offense to use as evidence in your prosecution. This means that if you’re on your phone or not wearing a seatbelt at the time, you’ll soon suffer the consequences.
Why Does It Matter?
If you’re on the side of those who are outraged at the increased fine, you probably think that it’s entirely unfair to track motorists and punish them so severely, but there’s actually a really good reason behind the rule.
According to experts Go Safe, those who spend their time behind the wheel talking, texting, or downloading data onto their phone will be pretty distracted, whether or not they realize it. This means that reaction times are significantly slower should you need to respond to a hazard on the road, making you even more likely to cause an accident than a drunk driver.
By taking part in the worldwide campaign to reduce deaths and serious injuries as a result of driving offenses, it is thus hoped that law-abiding citizens can help to make the roads a safer place for us all.
Do your part to help: slow your speed, get off your phone, and take a look at this handy blog post from AA Cars to see how you can reduce driving distractions.
Cell Phone Ticket Laws
Ban on Handheld Phone Use in 8 US States
If you get a cell phone ticket while driving the fine will range anywhere from $20-$125 depending which State you are ticketed in. There is now a ban on handheld phone use in 8 US States while hands-free use is still permitted: 8 states including California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregan, and Washington & Washington D.C and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from hands-free cell phone use while driving. 30 states have banned text messaging for all drivers. No states have banned the complete use of cell phones but 28 states have banned the usage of phones by drivers under the age of 18.
An officer may cite a driver for using a handheld cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place. Drivers who receive citations will receive a non-moving violation ticket although it appears on your DMV record, it does not have any points. You can always fight cell phone tickets and request a trial. You are more encouraged to fight cell phone tickets if you can prove that the call you made prior to the citation was to an emergency service provider. The law reads as follows:
Vehicle Code: 23123. (a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication.
(b) As used in this section “write, send, or read a text-based communication” means using an electronic wireless communications device to manually communicate with any person using text-based communication, including, but not limited to, communications referred to as a text message, instant message, or electronic mail.
(c) For purposes of this section, a person shall not be deemed to be writing, reading, or sending a text-based communication if the person reads, selects, or enters a telephone number or name in an electronic wireless communications device for the purpose of making or receiving a telephone call.
(d) This section does not apply to an emergency services professional using an electronic wireless communications device while operating an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in Section 165, in the course and scope of his or her duties.
Why Google Buzz Should Buy Aha Mobile
I have recently started using Google Buzz for Mobile on my Android phone and have become a big fan of its potential. I think it's quite unique and more useful if you are only interested in regional data. However, there currently isn't an on Google Buzz to hear updates from other drivers or alerts around me without picking up the phone and looking at it. See the picture above which is a sample Google Buzz layer on Google Maps screenshot. I think buying Aha Mobile and integrating the technology into their system would further advance the technology and make it safer for drivers.Palo Alto-based Aha Mobile has created Aha Radio, a free mobile application that transfers a broad range of web-based information into a customizable radio experience. Aha has created a unique backend platform that safely filters, prioritizes, and delivers Web-based information to drivers. Everything from instant personalized traffic reports to an audio translation of your Facebook wall and from up-to-the-minute episodes of your favorite podcasts to personalized restaurant finders. They have also created the first driver-to-driver network similar to the old CB Radio. This allows users to listen to everything from real-time traffic reports to Twitter and Facebook updates as well as red light camera location alerts, without the added stress of fumbling with a device while driving. Aha Mobile is also a licensee of PhotoEnforced.com's database of locations and will soon be using the data to give drivers verbal alerts of cameras locations near them. I think this definitely solves the distracted driver problems. Check out the demonstration video above.