Posted On: August 10, 2009 by New York Personal Injury Attorney

New York's Texting Ban Not Serious, Experts Say

New York auto accident attorneys know that texting while driving is a dangerous activity responsible for hundreds of New York car accidents. Distracted drivers can cause accidents resulting in serious personal injury or even death. New York State's texting-while-driving ban is "not serious," observers and experts say. Why? According to this new column, a proposed law heading for the Governor's desk states that if a police officer sees a driver texting, he can't turn on the red lights and siren.

The anti-texting law approved recently by the New York state Legislature bans texting while driving, but it only makes it a secondary law. What that means is you can be cited for texting if you are pulled over for something else or if it turns up as part of an investigation into an auto accident. Recent research from Virginia Tech demonstrates the dangers of texting while driving. The study states that an accident is 23 times more likely to happen if the driver is sending a text message that if he's got his eyes on the road and both hands firmly on the wheel.

There are many studies that have consistently demonstrated that texting while driving is dangerous. It's time our legislators get more serious about taking effective action to prevent such auto accidents from happening. Please remember that if you have been seriously injured by a distracted or negligent driver, you have rights. Please contact an experienced New York car accident lawyer at Wingate, Russotti & Shapiro for a free consultation. We will make sure your legal rights are protected and that the negligent parties are held liable for your injuries, damages and loss.