According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving has reached “epidemic” levels. In 2014, 3,129 people died due to distracted driving. 400,000 more were injured because another driver chose to send a text message or make a call while behind the wheel. As many as 70% of teens have admitted to texting and driving. Older drivers are also responsible for texting and driving accidents. 2% of drivers were observed manipulating a hand held device while behind the wheel.
Minnesota law enforcement, in an attempt to crack down on distracted driving, has begun a new campaign to stop the dangerous practice. According to the Star Tribune, 30 Minnesota businesses are joining forces with the Department of Transportation to restrict their employees from using cell phones while driving company vehicles. The companies are also asking their employees to sign pledges that they won’t text and drive. E-mail campaigns, employee education, and company newsletters will also be sent out to raise awareness of the dangers of texting and driving. Companies have also pledged to raise consequences for employees who break from employee policies while using company vehicles.
The push to raise awareness starting at work, is part of a larger effort to change general attitudes toward driving. While government programs, public service announcements, and police crack-downs are pushing to this effect, many people still use their cell phones when they drive.
According to the Star Tribune, in Minnesota alone, 328 people were killed and another 1,138 experienced life-altering injuries due to a distracted driver. While Minnesota laws make it illegal to read email, send texts, access the internet, and talk on a phone while driving, critics claim that current penalties are not serious enough to prevent drivers from picking up their phones. Currently, the penalty is only $50 for a first offense. While a second offense goes up to $225, many claim this simply isn’t enough to prevent deaths on the road.
Yet, the new laws and initiatives may be making some difference. Today, 80% of drivers see distracted driving as a bigger problem. Despite this, 70% of drivers report talking on a cell phone while driving and 42% admitted to reading text messages while behind the wheel.
If you’re driving in Minnesota, know the law. Using a cell phone is illegal, even at a stop sign or red light. Lives are at stake. Personal injury attorneys in Minneapolis, Minnesota see far too many cases where lives are altered due to distracted driving.
The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino is a personal injury attorney in Minneapolis, Minnesota, committed to helping victims of distracted driving get the justice they deserve. Our firm works closely with victims and families to make sure that negligent parties pay. If you’ve been hurt due to a distracted driver, you may be entitled to receive money for your medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitative care, and pain and suffering. Contact our firm today to learn more.